# 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:** 22
**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:** [July 19, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/421 "2018-07-19T23:08:45Z")
Surely you can make token payments pending the outcome of your lawsuits? It seems like those who are billing you would rather receive some payment rather than have you declare bankruptcy and then receive nothing. Or: don’t pay and see what happens. But I wish this wasn’t happening to you on top of everything else. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2018, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/422 "2018-07-19T23:34:24Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Surely you can make token payments pending the outcome of your lawsuits? It seems like those who are billing you would rather receive some payment rather than have you declare bankruptcy and then receive nothing. Or: don’t pay and see what happens. > > But I wish this wasn’t happening to you on top of everything else. I suppose I can do that. This upset is the last thing I need. I am so sick of this insane right-wing country. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/423 "2018-07-19T23:44:57Z")
I swear I was just thinking about you today. Any news on working things out with all the billing? I hope you are still on the mend. Positive thoughts your way! ---
**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:** [July 20, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/424 "2018-07-20T00:57:07Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I swear I was just thinking about you today. Any news on working things out with all the billing? I hope you are still on the mend. Positive thoughts your way! Thank you so much for your concern. I guess I’ve been too tired and frustrated to even think about calling people about the billing. I’m not good with those kinds of confrontations. It makes me feel like some kind of freeloader. So I end up procrastinating on doing anything, which I know is not good. On top of that, I have bills from companies I’ve never even heard of so I have no idea if they’re real or some sort of scam. To update on my situation in general; they’ve stopped the TPN but I’m still getting glucose with vitamins through the PICC line 4 days a week. Unfortunately, I seem to be losing weight since then. I’m going to talk to somebody about that. I’ve been.approved for a new once a day injection which should help with food absorption. It’s very expensive but my insurance has approved it and the specialty pharmacy is putting me on a copay assistance program so it won’t cost me anything. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/425 "2018-07-20T01:20:23Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Thank you so much for your concern. I guess I’ve been too tired and frustrated to even think about calling people about the billing. I’m not good with those kinds of confrontations. It makes me feel like some kind of freeloader. So I end up procrastinating on doing anything, which I know is not good. > > On top of that, I have bills from companies I’ve never even heard of so I have no idea if they’re real or some sort of scam. > > To update on my situation in general; they’ve stopped the TPN but I’m still getting glucose with vitamins through the PICC line 4 days a week. > > Unfortunately, I seem to be losing weight since then. I’m going to talk to somebody about that. > > I’ve been.approved for a new once a day injection which should help with food absorption. It’s very expensive but my insurance has approved it and the specialty pharmacy is putting me on a copay assistance program so it won’t cost me anything. Your insurance company may have or know who has a patient’s advocate who can help you navigate the bill morass. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/426 "2018-07-20T01:48:19Z")
Glad to hear you’re continuing to mend, **davidm**. Best wishes! ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/427 "2018-07-20T15:20:41Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Your insurance company may have or know who has a patient’s advocate who can help you navigate the bill morass. Yes, that’s good advice and may be a place to start. Hang in there, davidm and take your own advice, speak to your doctor about the weight loss. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/428 "2018-07-20T15:39:28Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > > [@Jasmine](#): > > > > Have you gotten a lawyer? You shouldn’t have to pay for anything. In fact, they need to compensate you! :mad: > > That’s something I probably shouldn’t discuss. That is wise on your part. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/429 "2018-07-21T00:11:50Z")
About the weight loss. The company that’s been adminisrering my IV nutrition stopped the TPN a couple of weeks.ago and replaced it with glucose (with vitamins), and they’ve been slowly reducing the volume. This more or less coincides with the weight loss so it’s likely I had a lot of water weight that I’m now losing. That said, I’m weighting myself every day and we’re keeping a close watch on it. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/430 "2018-08-08T02:50:35Z")
I guess it’s time for an update. I’m still getting the glucose with vitamins 4 days a week and eating pretty much what I want. My weight has more or less stabilized. The new medicine has _finally_ been approved and a nurse is coming to teach me how to administer it this Thursday. Hopefully it will enable me to get off of the IV fluids. On top of all of this, I had to have a root canal done on Monday. It wasn’t something I could put off because an infected tooth could systemically cause an infection of the PICC line. I’d heard all kinds of horror stories about root canals but it wasn’t bad at all and I’ve had almost no pain afterwards. I’m trying to find some kind of remote work but haven’t had much luck yet. The future of the SDMB looks ominous. I hope it doesn’t go away as you guys have been a big help to me psychologically. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/431 "2018-08-08T10:35:55Z")
It’s good to hear you’re improving. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/432 "2018-08-08T11:47:26Z")
Thanks for the update. Good to hear that progress is happening! ---
**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:** [August 11, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/433 "2018-08-11T03:51:16Z")
I’m wondering if I should try crowdfunding (Gofundme, for example) to raise some money for my medical bills. I have some very mixed feelings. I \*\*HATE \*\* the idea of begging for charity. It just feels unseemly. Plus, my problems will become public since, understandably, you can’t do it anonymously. Anyone searching my name would find the campaign. This would include potential employers. Thoughts? Ideas? ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/434 "2018-08-11T04:27:22Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Thoughts? Ideas? I can’t read this thread through, I’m not feeling too hale and hearty myself, at the moment. From what I’ve gleaned, you’ve got people pestering you for hospital bill payments and you have shoved them in the “too hard” basket because of your health problems? If I haven’t misunderstood, the Salvation Army has financial counselling services. If they will help you, their “person” can ring ir write to all of the creditors and fill them in on your situation. They might/probably will agree to wait until your legal proceedings are finalized. Financial institutions will usually wait for payment over chasing something they won’t get, but they need to know what’s going on. Alternatively, they can sort out some sort of payment plan, so that you aren’t being chased for all of it all at once. You don’t have to be religious to go to the Salvation Army, they are quite secular in the services they offer to the public. If they would communicate with the creditors for you, it’d be one less stressor for you. Things can be sorted, you just need some help to make that happen. And it’s one call instead of many. ---
**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:** [August 11, 2018, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/435 "2018-08-11T04:31:11Z")
How about if we start by helping you find someone to navigate the medical bill situation? It sounds like you need some help talking to the hospital and/or insurance company and/or whoever all these other folks are. I know there are folks on the Board who have had to navigate all of this. Why don’t you ask people for their stories on how they did it? Get some concrete ideas on who to talk to, and where? That’s the first step, right? Maybe a new thread for that? ETA: Yay **blob**! Don’t feel bad about Crowdfunding if you need to, I know folks here are very generous. (Just remember to check with the mods first.) Also, don’t worry about the Board disappearing. The people aren’t going away. We hang out other places too, like Facebook. If you haven’t joined the SDMB group there, you should. If the worst does happen, I imagine next steps will get distributed from there. There was one useful thread around that was gathering work from home ideas. I’ll see if I can find it. If not, starting a new one of those isn’t a bad idea either. You’ve come a long way since this mess started. I have faith that things will continue to improve. One day at a time. (I tell myself the same thing. :)) ---
**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:** [August 11, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/436 "2018-08-11T04:45:01Z")
Can someone post a link to the SDMB FB page? I searched on both “straightdope” and “SDMB” and didn’t get any results that seem relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/437 "2018-08-11T04:50:08Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Can someone post a link to the SDMB FB page? I searched on both “straightdope” and “SDMB” and didn’t get any results that seem relevant. It’s “Straight Dopers”. > **[Straight Dopers | Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/2408464343/)** > > A group for fans of The Straight Dope message board and Cecil Adam's The Straight Dope column. If you are a member of the SDMB and want to join this Facebook group, and your profile is completely... ---
**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:** [August 11, 2018, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/438 "2018-08-11T05:25:18Z")
I joined. It says “Pending”. ---
**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:** [August 11, 2018, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/439 "2018-08-11T11:19:08Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I joined. It says “Pending”. Never mind. I got approved. Thanks whoever did that. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/440 "2018-08-30T16:07:29Z")
Checking in for anyone who’s interested. I’m still on IV fluids. They’re talking about maybe cutting them down from 4 times a week to 3, so that’s progress. A nurse comes once a week to change the dressing on my PIC line and take my vitals. She seems very competent at those things but she says some things that I find disconcerting coming from a nurse. She usually asks about my diet, which makes sense in my situation, but then she says things that she obviously got from iffy internet sites. She told me that some grated cheeses should be avoided because they contain sawdust, and she said that margarine is “one molecule different from plastic”, and that it’s not real food which is proven by the “fact” that flies won’t land on it. Like I said, she’s competent in what she does but I would think that a nurse should be more careful about where she gets her information and should at least understand basic chemistry. WTF does “one molecule different” even mean? I think she means one atom different. I don’t know if that’s true or not but even if it is, why is that necessarily a problem? A change of one atom can make a substance completely different. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=23)