JOHN'S HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE
On the 23 May 2007 in late morning I had an accident (involving becoming entangled with oxygen tubes) which unknown to me at the time resulted in two broken ribs one of which penetrated my lung and caused a PNEUMOTHORAX (collapsed lung). At first I thought very little had happened except shock and lay down with some pain killers. But soon it became obvious that all was not well. Joan noticed that parts of me were beginning to swell up and my oxygen levels had fallen to 50%. She rang NHS DIRECT (a brilliant service) and they immediately ordered an ambulance. Within minutes a fire engine turned up followed by a paramedic from a nearby town and finally an ambulance. Suddenly the bedroom was full of medics of one sort or another and I felt increasingly out of it (presumably because of a CO2 build up in my lungs). They argued amongst themselves about what was wrong with me.
TIP – if it ever happens to you a crackly skin caused by escaping air is an obvious sign & swelling of face etc
I was treated with a probable spinal injury as well so had to remain still as I was hurtled off to the nearest major hospital 30 miles away and into an intensive care ward. The staff in there were quite outstanding as they inserted a tube into my lungs and a chest drain which filled up with blood and then over a number of days took out the air from my skin.
TIPS – if you ever end up for a time in an intensive ward you will not suffer pain – in spite of having severe emphysema I was given morphine and a button to press when the pain worsened. Before you are transferred to the high dependency ward make sure that you have this morphine button fitted otherwise you may have difficulties there. Also I had a catheter fitted (tube up my penis into my bladder) and this made life so much easier in the following days. The beds are incredible – they move about independently – I kept thinking someone was sitting on the edge.
After a day I was transferred to a respiratory ward so I shared it with lung cancer patients, COPD patients with NON INVASIVE VENTILATION MASKS etc. Not every hospital has this facility.
My face become so swollen I could not speak & Joan came to visit me and mistakenly sat down by somebody else – unbelievable!!!
I was given a nebuliser for SALBUTAMOL to reduce my C02 and help my breathing plus my usual medicines.
Are you likely to get a PNEUMOTHORAX?
Possibly if you are elderly and have brittle bones (due to steroids) and fall. You may have a SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX – often on aircraft, hence the warnings about getting checked out before flying. Or like me you are a clumsy idiot. Don’t worry it is not that common except in road accidents.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO HOSPITAL?
Well you never know when you might get an exacerbation that results in a hospital admission. Therefore pack an emergency bag with say 5 pairs of pyjamas or night dresses, and electric razor and a pair of slippers or similar. If you live on your own remember to tell the paramedics to turn everything off in the home and to take your keys. Always carry your diary with telephone numbers of next of kin, friends etc.
If you feel unexpectedly breathless and the antibiotics are not working then either call NHS Direct, your GP or in an emergency dial 999. Do NOT feel that you are bothering people. If you can take your repeat prescription – this will ensure you are supplied with the correct medicines.
Will I have visitors?
Yes during certain time periods, if you have any that is. They should be tested for MRSA before they see you. Make sure they use the hand gel provided as well and use it yourself after they’ve gone.
Do not ask them to bring flowers. They are not allowed on a respiratory ward. You may need them to bring Complan or similar, bananas, easily digested food, even juices.
WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?
In the respiratory ward I was in, the food was unpalatable at times and delivered at set times, 3 x daily. For COPD patients or anybody with lung problems this is not desirable. It would be better if the food would be largely liquid in the early stages of an exacerbation. Some vegetables and fruit could be blended and watered down and left by a patient’s bedside with a straw. 'Ensure' could be provided on a doctor’s prescription. Protein bars could be nibbled at. These are just a few ideas. As it is many patients refuse to eat and lose weight – a very undesirable outcome.
In some hospitals I have been told the food is much more desirable.
WILL I BE ABLE TO SLEEP?
That can be difficult. I couldn’t get my sleeping pill until I was taken off morphine and also diazepam also makes you sleepy and reduces anxiety – ask for this from the hospital doctor. There is so much activity in the night from patients demanding this and that and from emergencies. After I received the diazepam & the sleeping pill I had no problems.
WHAT CAN I DO WHILE I LIE THERE?
You probably won’t feel like doing very much! You should be able to rent a TV for a small charge & I watched this for most of the day to distract me from my plight!
WHAT ARE THE NURSES LIKE?
When I last went into the hospital in 2000 I found the nurses either distant or indifferent. But now there has been a sea change in attitudes and they were dripping with loving care. Absolutely brilliant.
WHAT ABOUT THE RESIDENT DOCTORS?
Well mine were fine and the nurses complied with their suggestions. But I have heard from some of you that matrons do not always follow the doctor’s advice. One letter I received told me that the doctor had told her to use oxygen and the matron or respiratory nurse had snatched it away from her. This policy cannot be defended.
HOW ABOUT GETTING DISCHARGED?
Well here I experienced mixed results. Firstly there was a possibility that I would need a new chest drain so I said if that is the case could I be discharged since it was only checked once a day. The doctor refused on the grounds that there would be nobody qualified locally to check it. After leaving hospital I met my District Nurse who was furious because she is fully qualified!!
TIP – tell them to check with your health centre to see if there is help- do not take the hospital's word for it.
The same is true if you are receiving NON–INVASIVE VENTILATION (that mask to help you breathe).
I still had to jump through hoops because it was a Friday & I knew that if hadn’t completed my discharge procedure & had an ambulance booked for Saturday then I would be still in hospital until the following Monday Why? Because there are no doctors or consultants necessarily in the hospital in the weekend except for emergencies.
You may still have to prove you can get out of bed & sit in a chair. And the Registrar will be involved. So make a fuss if you think you are ready to go home!