[Mollydiamond]

Molly​

Hi everyone newbie today. I decided to join after reading the story about the varicose vein debacle.
I also have a story to tell about the misdiagnosis and mishandling of a patient, namely me.
My story begins 9yrs ago, waking at midnight and telling my husband to call an ambulance as I was in trouble, I had excruciating abdominal pain, (I am a retired nurse), the ambulance arrived a 1/2 hr later, I remember nothing more until I woke in intensive care 7 weeks later, I was intubated,and on dialysis as my kidneys and liver weren't doing well at all and I had tubes everywhere. A few days after waking I was moved into step-down (not quite as serious). The Dr couldn't believe my kidneys and liver had started to work again in step-down.
According to my husband, the Dr concerned had kept me in a rural hospital and refused to transport me to the city because if his diagnosis was correct he would have egg on his face if he sent me to a major hospital!! My husband had asked on numerous occasions why my legs were so white and icy cold and he was ignored.
Eventually an Ambulance was called at 8am and after 1/2hr wait they arrived and were unable to take me as I was too ill! A second Ambulance was called with paramedics on board,(no helicopter despite being 2hrs away), on arrival in the city I was rushed into theatre, the first op was a laparotomy to find out what was happening , my husband was asked numerous times if he wanted me resuscitated as they didn't think I would survive the night and if I did they would amputate both legs above the knee the next day.
The cause was a ruptured ulcer I didn't know I had and they removed a ltr of pus from my abdominal cavity. My body had also thrown an embolic shower and I had blood clots everywhere, the vascular surgeons set about removing clots and trying to restore blood supply to my legs and feet, which became gangreneous. My hospital stay and rehab and delirium and sepsis and anything else was a long 12 month stay.
I have a below knee amputation and almost lost the foot/lower leg on the other side, however I'm still here and kicking.
After a long time when I was feeling able to do anything about this we went to see a lawyer, evidently the laws had changed and the clock was ticking.
Needless to say the Dr would not admit any wrongdoing even though he kept me for 7hrs and the vascular surgeons said if I had been transported as soon as possible this wouldn't have happened.
No Dr will stand against another Dr in court and we spent $30,000 trying to fight and I wasn't loosing my home as well, so we decided to quit, all I can say is Karma is a bitch and his is coming!
Thanks for reading my story.
Molly

 

[Vella Gonzaga]

Hi @Mollydiamond

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. It's truly heart-wrenching to hear about the misdiagnosis and mishandling you had to endure. It's unfortunate that you had to go through such a difficult ordeal.

It's a relief to know that you're still here and ‘kicking’. Please continue to stay strong, and remember that your story has touched many of us here.

Thank you for opening up and reminding us all of the importance of standing up for our rights. Sending you all the positive energy and support in the world!

Vella