# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/81 "2017-11-30T16:54:21Z")
**davidm** , what can you tell us about what it’s like being in a medically induced coma? At first thought, one would think you’d be totally completely unconscious of anything. But I’ve read occasional horror stories to the contrary. According to one account I saw, the brain continues to cycle through its normal ≈24-hour diurnal sleep/wake cycle, even though you are unconscious the whole time. According to other accounts, this may still include a REM-sleep-like phase which made me wonder if there is dreaming. One account I saw seems to have answered that: A patient, in a med-induced coma for some extended time, woke up claiming that he suffered the most hellatious non-stop nightmares the whole time, and he was so traumatized that he had PTSD afterward. Did you have any kind of experience like that with med-induced coma? ---
**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:** [November 30, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/82 "2017-11-30T17:30:22Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Any chance you are in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania? I have a friend or two there… > > ETA: in ObGyn, so I doubt if you have had contact. Einstein Montgomery on Germantown pike. Other than causing the problem to begin with I’ve received excellent care. ---
**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:** [November 30, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/83 "2017-11-30T17:39:00Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > **davidm** , what can you tell us about what it’s like being in a medically induced coma? At first thought, one would think you’d be totally completely unconscious of anything. > > But I’ve read occasional horror stories to the contrary. According to one account I saw, the brain continues to cycle through its normal ≈24-hour diurnal sleep/wake cycle, even though you are unconscious the whole time. According to other accounts, this may still include a REM-sleep-like phase which made me wonder if there is dreaming. > > One account I saw seems to have answered that: A patient, in a med-induced coma for some extended time, woke up claiming that he suffered the most hellatious non-stop nightmares the whole time, and he was so traumatized that he had PTSD afterward. > > Did you have any kind of experience like that with med-induced coma? I don’t recall being conscious in any way. I do recall having some very odd dreams (not scary or disturbing in any way, just nonsensical) but I’m not sure if it was during the coma or simply normal night time dreams during sleep after the coma ended. I’ve been told that after they stopped the Propofol and Fentanyl (the coma drugs) I wouldn’t come out of it for about a week and they thought that they were going to lose me, but I did eventually wake up. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/84 "2017-12-01T01:06:59Z")
So I am now in the rehab center. There appears to have been a communication breakdown between them and Einstein and they seem to be unaware of half of my needs. I am not a happy camper right. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/85 "2017-12-01T01:15:55Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > So I am now in the rehab center. There appears to have been a communication breakdown between them and Einstein and they seem to be unaware of half of my needs. I am not a happy camper right. They thought that i still had a trache tube and were completely unaware that I need wound vac equipment. And my dinner consists of a grilled cheese sandwich. It makes no sense to me that moving to a rehab means a large downgrade in service. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/86 "2017-12-01T01:24:28Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > They thought that i still had a trache tube and were completely unaware that I need wound vac equipment. And my dinner consists of a grilled cheese sandwich. > It makes no sense to me that moving to a rehab means a large downgrade in service. Think of it as special motivation they offer for your rehab process. Lousy food will make you WANT to get better faster. 😛 Seriously, glad to hear you are getting put back together. Challenge yourself a bit each day and you will be back on your feet in no time. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/87 "2017-12-01T01:48:49Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > Think of it as special motivation they offer for your rehab process. Lousy food will make you WANT to get better faster. 😛 > > Seriously, glad to hear you are getting put back together. Challenge yourself a bit each day and you will be back on your feet in no time. My point is that they do not have the necessary equipment to meet my needs. Without going into detail about personal health issues, this could result in a VERY bad situation. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/88 "2017-12-01T02:36:43Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > My point is that they do not have the necessary equipment to meet my needs. Without going into detail about personal health issues, this could result in a VERY bad situation. Things have been worked out. They do have some of the needed equipment and Einstein can supply them with some of the disposable supplies if needed. Also I now have a bologna sandwich, yogurt, and ice cream. I overreacted, although Einstein did not convey completely accurate info as to my condition. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/89 "2017-12-01T03:04:17Z")
You’ve had a roller coaster of a year, haven’t you?! I’m glad you’re better than you were and are now getting proper care at the rehab place. I send you many warm, healing vibes from 2000 miles West and wish you many delicious, soft foods. Were you disappointed on waking to learn Trump is still president? ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/90 "2017-12-01T03:29:01Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > You’ve had a roller coaster of a year, haven’t you?! I’m glad you’re better than you were and are now getting proper care at the rehab place. I send you many warm, healing vibes from 2000 miles West and wish you many delicious, soft foods. > Were you disappointed on waking to learn Trump is still president? That was one of the first things I asked, and yes, I was dissapointed. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2017, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/91 "2017-12-01T03:36:33Z")
Good lord, man. I’m glad you’re still with us and hope you have a speedy recovery. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/92 "2017-12-01T04:20:16Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > That was one of the first things I asked, and yes, I was dissapointed. Then I wish you many TastyKakes of solace. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/93 "2017-12-01T04:45:39Z")
Sounds very scary. I’m glad you are recovering. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/94 "2017-12-01T05:31:04Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Things have been worked out. They do have some of the needed equipment and Einstein can supply them with some of the disposable supplies if needed. > Also I now have a bologna sandwich, yogurt, and ice cream. > I overreacted, although Einstein did not convey completely accurate info as to my condition. Yeah, you have to be your own, every active advocate. I’ve only been in the hospital a few times, and I can’t believe some of the screw-ups. Things as simple as dosage of meds. The nurses would quiz the doctor multiple times after he rattled off some directions. I finally asked them why they don’t write it down instead of relying on verbal communication. Write the damn instructions down. THere’s a white board right next to my bed!! But it sounds like things are working out more or less OK. Don’t let your guard down, and question everything. Hopefully you have some friends/family who can help shoulder the load. It can get to be too much some time when you’re just trying to get better. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/95 "2017-12-01T06:25:12Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Things have been worked out. They do have some of the needed equipment and Einstein can supply them with some of the disposable supplies if needed. > Also I now have a bologna sandwich, yogurt, and ice cream. > I overreacted, although Einstein did not convey completely accurate info as to my condition. “Einstein” 😕 ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/96 "2017-12-01T06:35:40Z")
I think Einstein is the hospital he transferred from. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/97 "2017-12-01T12:54:26Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I think Einstein is the hospital he transferred from. Correct, Einstein Montgomery hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/98 "2017-12-01T12:57:48Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > And my dinner consists of a grilled cheese sandwich. Can you have friends/family bring you better food? Are you allowed/able to order delivery food? If you’re not on a restricted diet, I would hope the facility would have no problem with outside food being brought in for you. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/99 "2017-12-01T13:17:42Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > That was one of the first things I asked, and yes, I was dissapointed. They should have lied and told you there’d been a successful impeachment, plus Trump was now behind bars. You’d have jumped outa bed and started tap dancing.😃 ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/100 "2017-12-01T13:59:05Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Can you have friends/family bring you better food? Are you allowed/able to order delivery food? If you’re not on a restricted diet, I would hope the facility would have no problem with outside food being brought in for you. It turns out that the sandwich was because I arrived after the kitchen was closed. I had an excellent breakfast. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=6)