# 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:** 6
**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, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/101 "2017-12-01T14:26:02Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I’m being moved to a rehab facility at 4:00 today. Some of you have expressed a desire to visit in PMs. I will post the info (address, room number, any visiting rules, etc.) when I’m settled in. > > Visitors will be more than welcome! > > Anyone with industrial strength fingernail clippers will be greeted effusively! I am at Ambler Extended Care, 32 S Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, PA 19002. Visiting rules are completely open, anyone can come at any time (within reason, obviously not 1:00 in the morning, etc.). I think I’m in room 220. Anyone with doubts can call the center at 2156467050. Ask about the David admitted Thursday night. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/102 "2017-12-01T14:35:34Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I think I’m in room 220. Unless it’s [221](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX3kxAA2L4Q&t=15). ---
**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, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/103 "2017-12-01T15:25:51Z")
My mistake. I an in room 210. You have to check in at the nurses station. Ask for David M the software engineer. They’ll know who I am. ---
**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, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/104 "2017-12-01T17:47:21Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > My mistake. I an in room 210. You have to check in at the nurses station. Ask for David M the software engineer. They’ll know who I am. What if they say: _Oh, the guy who is causing so much trouble for us?_😉 I’m on the left coast, so I won’t be by to visit. But I’m checking this thread frequently, and look forward to the updates. I love that you have such a positive attitude!! For those who are visiting, I know that my friend who was in a similar situation not too long ago loved nothing more than outside food brought in for a change, which is what we brought whenever visiting. ---
**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 2, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/105 "2017-12-02T14:18:00Z")
I fear that I did make a first impression of being a troublemaker. I was in a sour mood the evening they brought me to the rehab and complained about everything. I’ve since realized that the trouble was with me, not them, and everyone here is nice and doing their best. Fortunately they don’t seem to.be going by first impressions. ---
**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 2, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/106 "2017-12-02T17:30:49Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I fear that I did make a first impression of being a troublemaker. I was in a sour mood the evening they brought me to the rehab and complained about everything. > > I’ve since realized that the trouble was with me, not them, and everyone here is nice and doing their best. Fortunately they don’t seem to.be going by first impressions. They do, however, not have enough help so it takes forever for them the call bell, which is bad if I’m in an uncomfortable position. ---
**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 2, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/107 "2017-12-02T18:20:22Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > They do, however, not have enough help so it takes forever for them the call bell, which is bad if I’m in an uncomfortable position. Patient needs cut into profits. ---
**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 2, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/108 "2017-12-02T19:36:47Z")
I had an excllent lunch, I was bathed and repositioned, and I’m feeling much more comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/109 "2017-12-02T20:47:27Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I had an excllent lunch, I was bathed and repositioned, and I’m feeling much more comfortable. Good to hear you seem to be getting better! I had peanut butter and jelly for lunch, which I really enjoy sometimes, but now I’m starving! ---
**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 2, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/110 "2017-12-02T22:37:37Z")
I had a small bowl of pork and kimchi ramen at a local ramen shop run by a Korean lady. Yum! We’re waiting for you first attempts at walking, **David**. Hope to hear about that soon, but don’t rush things if you’re not ready. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/111 "2017-12-02T22:53:40Z")
how are you in general? pain? > [@davidm](#): > > They do, however, not have enough help so it takes forever for them the call bell, which is bad if I’m in an uncomfortable position. this is always a problem; does it take more than one person to reposition you? or transfer you to a wheelchair or whatever. if they need two people it will take much longer. it’s very good to learn people’s names and ask what their names are if they don’t tell you. they are supposed to be wearing a name tag, of course. I have known people to keep candy in their rooms for people who are CNAs and anyone answering call lights. this should not be necessary, of course. but it sure doesn’t hurt. have you had therapy evals yet? ---
**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 2, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/112 "2017-12-02T23:53:44Z")
I am in pain in my legs. I’m only allowed pain meds every 12 hours. It does take more than one person to move me or get me out of bed. ---
**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 2, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/113 "2017-12-02T23:55:39Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I had a small bowl of pork and kimchi ramen at a local ramen shop run by a Korean lady. Yum! We’re waiting for you first attempts at walking, **David**. Hope to hear about that soon, but don’t rush things if you’re not ready. Kimchi (or any cabbage dish) is one of the worst things for me to eat. I won’t describe the results. ---
**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 3, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/114 "2017-12-03T00:04:31Z")
I’m pissed at the moment.one of nurses or aides broke my multi port usb charger. She had to plug in some medical device. I get that, it is more important, but how do you break a damned charger just by moving it to the lower outlet? So I had to ask my long suffering brother (who’s been my lifeline during all of this) to go out and find me a new one and I had to spend money from my limited funds for it. This rehab center doesn’t have room phones so I NEED my cell. How elderly residents who don’t have cellphones keep in touch is beyond me. ---
**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:** [December 3, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/115 "2017-12-03T01:25:01Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Kimchi (or any cabbage dish) is one of the worst things for me to eat. I won’t describe the results. Other than cabbage do you have any food restrictions? How is the food there? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/116 "2017-12-03T02:34:49Z")
For damn sure being hospitalized or confined to rehab takes two people. One to be the patient 24/7. And one to be the advocate/ helper / screw-up preventer about 16/7. 20/7 would be better. BTDT, have the blood-stained T-shirts. Once you’ve been there for a couple days and are stable and have gone through a weekend you’ll have their routine down and they’ll have yours. Until then the process of training them about your care, needs, wants, and capabilities is a battle. One best approached gently with a understanding attitude. I get that medicine is hard because it’s 24/7 and their workers (quite reasonably) aren’t. But the frictional screw-ups from hand-offs are huge even within a facility. Much less between facilities. Good luck. I’m probably too far away to visit but if I/we can help, ask away. ---
**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 3, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/117 "2017-12-03T03:20:47Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Other than cabbage do you have any food restrictions? How is the food there? Some days the food is great, some days not so much. Since my problem is with my bowel, corn kernels are something I need to avoid. This evening, they served this wonderful beef stew, which contained corn. So I had to pick out the corn while I ate. The alternative would have been a grilled cheese sandwich. Nuts are also something I can’t tolerate. They don’t have menus. You eat what they give you, or you get a grilled sandwich. ---
**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 3, 2017, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/118 "2017-12-03T03:34:34Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Some days the food is great, some days not so much. > Since my problem is with my bowel, corn kernels are something I need to avoid. This evening, they served this wonderful beef stew, which contained corn. So I had to pick out the corn while I ate. The alternative would have been a grilled cheese sandwich. Nuts are also something I can’t tolerate. > They don’t have menus. You eat what they give you, or you get a grilled sandwich. So to be safe, you’re essentially on a Crohn’s diet? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/119 "2017-12-03T04:48:20Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > But I’m checking this thread frequently, and look forward to the updates. Just wanted to let you ( **davidm** ) know I’m doing the same, even though I haven’t posted before now. I had a post I made a while back, but apparently never hit submit before I closed down all my tabs. Sorry. I did indeed start to notice your absence. ---
**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:** [December 3, 2017, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/120 "2017-12-03T05:11:27Z")
I’m glad you have someone on the “outside” to advocate for you and bring you edibles etc. That is essential I hope things begin to improve rapidly on the care front and on the being able to move yourself front. Og knows it’s hard to be at the mercy of a bunch of people who are often badly overworked and/or poorly trained. Keep letting us know how it’s going and remember, if you bitch to a bunch of dopers we will cheer you up with lousy puns and ridiculous suggestions. Any time, night or day. ETA: does your brother know about us? If so maybe you should refer him here, in case he needs to be cheered up with lousy puns and ridiculous suggestions, or something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=7)