# Where's davidm? In the hospital recovering from a medical screwup. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049 "2017-11-29T12:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/361 "2018-02-23T03:24:05Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I experimented tonight with scrambling some eggs for dinner, even though I’m supposed to be on clear and full liquids only. They tasted great and didn’t seem to cause any problems. Isn’t it just amazing how the simplest of foods can taste SO BLOODY WONDERFUL when you haven’t had the privilege to eat for a while. Keep it up mate, here’s hoping it’s all steps ahead from here on. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/362 "2018-02-23T04:04:16Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Isn’t it just amazing how the simplest of foods can taste SO BLOODY WONDERFUL when you haven’t had the privilege to eat for a while. > > Keep it up mate, here’s hoping it’s all steps ahead from here on. 🙂 Actually they weren’t all that simple. I scrambled them with some milk, a diced slice of Kraft white American cheese, salt, pepper, and a generous amount of garlic powder. My brother ate half and raved about them. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/363 "2018-02-23T05:05:19Z")
😃 Here’s to the simple things! ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/364 "2018-02-23T13:40:27Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Actually they weren’t all that simple. I scrambled them with some milk, a diced slice of Kraft white American cheese, salt, pepper, and a generous amount of garlic powder. My brother ate half and raved about them. Congrats twice - once for having the energy to cook the eggs (and do it well) and a second for eating them with no issues! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/365 "2018-02-23T14:44:46Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Congrats twice - once for having the energy to cook the eggs (and do it well) and a second for eating them with no issues! I didn’t do them entirely by myself. I directed my brother for parts of it. So it was kind of a 50/50 effort. This was only because getting out the eggs, bowls, etc. while using a walker would have been a PITA, and since he ate half of it, it was only fair that he help. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/366 "2018-02-25T11:38:29Z")
Why do they make the outlet on the TPN bags so difficult to spike? You have to force a.pointed hard plastic tube through thick plastic and it’s a struggle to get it in far enough for.the liquid to start flowing. Everytime I have to hang a new bag it’s a struggle. It’s not just my weakness. My brother has just as much trouble. Every other connection, you just easily push in and.screw on, but for this one connection you have to puncture through a thick rubbery membrane with a pointed plastic tube. I don’t know how a really sick or elderly person can do it. I understand that it’s probably because of how important it is to maintain sterility, but I think the difficulty makes it more likely you’ll contaminate it, not less. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/367 "2018-03-15T03:21:12Z")
They’re cutting back the TPN from 16 to 12 hours a day so I don’t put on too much weight. They’re having me start solid food in a few days. Depending on how it goes I’ll hopefully be able to get off the TPN entirely. That would obviously be a very good thing as TPN has potential complications, plus it’s a pain in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/368 "2018-03-15T03:38:07Z")
If its a pain in the ass you are doing it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/369 "2018-03-15T03:39:29Z")
Good news! I hope it goes well. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/370 "2018-03-15T11:06:01Z")
That’s great news, I’m happy for you. Yay! Solid food! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/371 "2018-03-15T11:59:13Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > They’re cutting back the TPN from 16 to 12 hours a day so I don’t put on too much weight. Wow. I know next to nothing about Total Parenteral Nutrition, but I always assumed they’d be struggling just to maintain your body weight. Is removal of the large bore line a surgical procedure? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/372 "2018-03-15T15:16:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Wow. I know next to nothing about Total Parenteral Nutrition, but I always assumed they’d be struggling just to maintain your body weight. > > Is removal of the large bore line a surgical procedure? I honestly don’t know how the PICC line will be removed, but I hope they don’t leave it in too long. I still have the damned PEG feeding tube which goes into my stomach and which hasn’t been used in months. Every doctor I ask about it says we should leave it in, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/373 "2018-03-15T17:40:38Z")
Well, it’s a been a tough road, David, but you’ve come a long way. It’s great that you are able to keep a mostly positive attitude, and I certainly hope you continue on the improvement path. Overall, good news and I’m glad to hear it. Cheers, and here’s to solid food!! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/374 "2018-03-16T20:01:31Z")
I should add that I’m able to walk with a cane now rather than a walker. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/375 "2018-03-16T22:50:08Z")
As Churchill would say, keep buggering on! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/376 "2018-03-16T23:15:18Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Wow. I know next to nothing about Total Parenteral Nutrition, but I always assumed they’d be struggling just to maintain your body weight. TPNs can be adjusted, calorie-wise and otherwise, to provide almost any special nutritional need. I saw them with astronomical amounts of sodium, potassium, etc. because that’s what the patient needed. More than once when I worked at the hospital, the technician would say something like, “Why would they put a 400-pound person on a TPN?” and I said, “Because obese people need to eat too, especially protein, vitamins, and minerals.” Most of ours were short term; I rarely saw people on them for more than a week. If a person is on them for more than a few weeks, they need to not be administered 24 hours a day because we haven’t eaten nonstop since that umbilical cord was cut, and it can lead to liver damage. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/377 "2018-03-17T01:30:17Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I honestly don’t know how the PICC line will be removed, but I hope they don’t leave it in too long. > > I still have the damned PEG feeding tube which goes into my stomach and which hasn’t been used in months. Every doctor I ask about it says we should leave it in, just in case. the PICC comes out easy-peasy. the dressing is removed, the patient takes a deep breath and holds it and zzzzziiiiiiippppp, it’s out in a few seconds. slap an occlusive dressing on and you’re DONE! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/378 "2018-03-17T02:07:39Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I should add that I’m able to walk with a cane now rather than a walker. Progress! Next thing you’ll tell us is that you’re [dancing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfoaWHsdTNU) with that cane. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/379 "2018-03-29T00:37:46Z")
Any news? Thinking about you and hoping you’re still making progress. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/380 "2018-03-29T19:00:49Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Any news? Thinking about you and hoping you’re still making progress. Not much new. I’m still on TPN. I’m eating a limited amount. Some days I tolerate food better than others. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=20)