Dad is finally home!
By Katlady2
@Katlady2 (9904)
United States
July 9, 2007 9:42pm CST
Actually, he came home from the hospital yesterday, but I was too tired to do anything more than fall into my bed and start snoring. LOL. Anyway, dad was released yesterday because he improved markedly from Friday night to Sunday morning. Saturday evening, he was even moved out of ICU into his own private room, where he proceeded to eat a bunch of spaghetti and a salad with tomatoes on it. He ordered those before the evening shift nurse got in to read his charts and approve his meal. And boy did he pay for what he ate. Between the spaghetti sauce and the tomatoes, he had a whopper of a case of heartburn, which made him even grumpier than he already was from the lack of nicotine! Served him right. LOL. Now here's the part of the reason he was released that I DON'T agree with. The hospital that he was in is completely against the use of insulin pumps, and the docs and nurses tried to tell dad and mom to throw it away and go back to regular injections. Hello people...would you throw away a $5000 machine? I wouldn't. The lady that had set him up with the pump in the first place was coming in today, and the docs wanted dad out of the hospital before she got there....more than likely to save their own butts for what they said about the pump. But at any rate, dad is home and back to his old grouchy self.
Here's something I just found out as to why his blood sugar levels went so high. It had nothing to do with an internal infection like it was thought at first. Yes, dad had a bit of the flu, but what really caused the problem was that the pharmacy had given him the wrong insulin for his pump. The prescription that was called in was for the fast acting insulin. But since the insurance hadn't approved that one yet, and there was a refill left for the slow acting insulin, the pharmacist gave dad the slow acting one as if it was the one that was called in. Mom had gone in today to the pharmacy to ask the pharmacist what the heck happened and why the wrong insulin was given to dad instead of waiting for the approval from the insurance. When she told the pharmacist that had filled the prescription about dad's blood sugar levels and the results from it, the lady went totally white. Can we say "MAJOR LAW SUIT"? As soon as I find out if mom is going to raise holy you-know-what, I'll let you all know. You can bet I'm going to be nudging her along on it too! Thank you all so much for being there for me. You are the most awesome bunch of friends a person could have. Love ya! Hugs!
4 people like this
14 responses
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
10 Jul 07
I am so glad that your dad is alright..The pharmacist better get prepared for some holy heck...Don't get your mom into a tizzy so she falls ill over this..okay..take care and I am glad your dad is well considering what could have happened..
2 people like this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
10 Jul 07
You are very welcome. It is good you are so close to them..
1 person likes this
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
11 Jul 07
I realize that what happened to your father in law was serious and it was a terrible thing to happen but I think you and your mother in law need to step back and think before you do the lawsuit thing. These days everybody jumps into suing others and usually the only winners in the situation are the lawyers.
You said that the woman who made the error went white. She was probably just following orders but the pharmacy will never admit to it. They will likely make her the scapegoat and allow this to destroy her life.
We all make mistakes in this life that could easily cost someone their life. Just driving a car puts us in a position of risking someone else's life because we all take our eyes off the road or do things that could cost someone their life.
I'm sorry for what happened to your father in law but he did come out alive and I seriously doubt that what happened was done with any maliciousness or intent. If you take this to court, the only thing that will come of it is that you may (and I stress may) get some money out of it in a few years but in the process you will destroy the pharmacists life and career and, who knows, she may be a very good pharmacist who was caught in a bad place and just followed orders.
This could, however, turn into something good because if your mother in law decides to forgive and let it go, the pharmacist may learn enough of a lesson that she will stand up to her bosses in the future or simply go to another company that doesn't put her in that spot.
Who knows, this experience could cause her to save someone else's life because it could cause her to be more aware and more careful and be willing to stand up to some idiot who gives her an order that could cost someone their life.
I just think that our society has become "sue" happy and they don't realize what it's cost our country. Everyone makes mistakes and health professionals are in a very risky place. They are there to help others but they aren't allowed to make mistakes without threat of a lawsuit or possibly losing their ability to practice. I realize that there are some bad doctors out there and we have laws to deal with them but I think we've also lost a lot of good doctors and nurses and pharmacists because everyone wants to get even with someone who has caused them pain or cost them something.
What happened to forgiveness? And, a second chance? Wouldn't you want someone to give you a second chance if you made an error? Wouldn't you feel terrible if you did something that caused someone that kind of pain?
Just think about it.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Jul 07
I don't really know what my in laws intend to do in the whole situation. I think they are just taking it one day at a time right now. I understand and appreciate what you've said hon. But that pharmacist made one very costly mistake....maybe not for her, but for the family and put my father in law's life in danger. If she had just taken more responsibility in carrying out the correct actions and not giving the wrong medication as if it was what was requested, this could have all been avoided. But dad is alive and back home with us, and that's what counts the most. So I guess it's down to waiting and seeing what happens with the whole thing. I've talked to other people that have had similar problems with this particular pharmacy, so I personally think something needs to be done to get them to straighten up, even if it's not involved with law suits of any kind. Thanks so much hon for putting a more positive spin on this whole thing. What would I do without you? Hugs.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
11 Jul 07
If there are problems with the pharmacy, then look into the proper agencies to report them to and go after them and refuse to go after an individual. My guess is that the pharmacy is the one that is responsible and their rules may have been what caused the problem for your father in law.
If the pharmacy is risking people's lives, they need to be shut down. I thought that this was a one time incident.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
15 Jul 07
Well first of all I am glad that he is home and back to his old self, as for what the Doctors say, it is rubbish I just wish they would not always think they know better because they don't they assume and then thats it you are suppose to do what they say
As for the Pharmacist I hope that your Mum will take it further as that could have ended badly so you keep nudging her
Hugs to you
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Thank you so much hon. Right now, I'm pretty much staying away from their house for now, cuz mom and dad are bickering back and forth over it, and I don't deal well with things like that. But hubby is working on them for me. I think it might be a little while before they decide what to do. Dad is concentrating on getting his rest (in between the arguments). I'll let you know as soon as they decide anything. Love you.
1 person likes this
@Healthkeep (996)
• Israel
11 Jul 07
It is a good thing your dad is alright and that he is home. There is realy no place like home to get well in. Your case shows that no matter what insurance we do, and what doctors/hospital we go to - we should take our own health in our hands.
We use to say "every man/qoman is responsible for his/her own body/health" - what kind of responsibility it is to smoke? Eat food that is bad for our body? Not to excercise? Responsibility means to take care of the body - not neglect. Have you ever been given a responsibility? Was the intention of the one who gave you that responsibility that you neglect what he asked you to take care of?
I say : take responsibility for you own body/health, and if someone close to you doesn't do it - start taking responsibility for his/her health.
Some of you would probaly say : "I don't want to interfere in his life" and the likes of that, right? But think of it - when someone close to you is ill, don't you suffer from it? Wouldn't you be worried if your father had a heart attack or something like that? That is why we should actively take responsibility over our and our beloved health care.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Jul 07
First of all I'm so glad to hear your rather "fiesty" dad is back home...ah..has he started smoking again..LOL, and I just bet he's not going to tackle spaghetti anytime soon again...
And yes,...that's totally insane to suggest getting rid of a $5,000 machine...as for the goof in the type of insulin and the pharmacy...I think you could have a nice lawsuit to slap on them....and I hope you go for it!!
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
10 Jul 07
I am glad he is finally home. Things get mixed up like that way too many times. I have the name of an excellent law firm that only deals with medical issues if you are interested. I'm just not sure if they go outside of New York. They have a place on their website where you can type in what your situation is and they will tell you if you have a case, free of charge.
1 person likes this
@simplyman2006 (1706)
• India
10 Jul 07
its really good news for all of us that ur dad is ok now and camed home back.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
10 Jul 07
Your poor dad, he suffered for no reason. Anyway, I see your dad is already enjoying his meal :P
And so you can be more relaxed now that he is back. Perhaps just need to put up with his grouchiness.LOL. And instead of throwing away the $5000 machine, why not try to sell it back to the hospital if there is no more need for it? There are others who may need it. I do agree that it is really irresponsible of the pharmicst to go ahead and dispense what has yet to be approved. He ought to be sued.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Jul 07
Dad had his appointment today with his regular doctor that originally prescribed the pump, so I'm sure that they will be keeping him on it because it really was helping him until the med mix up. When I find out more I'll let you know. Thanks so much hon.
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
12 Jul 07
Sorry for not keeping up to date. I have only just read this discussion and learned about your dad being in hospital. I am so glad that he is out now. There was me asking you about a trivial little matter. Thank you for being so level headed and just answering me. (I don't know the answer about code for myspace.) It just goes to show we should take the time to find out what problems others are experiencing. Best wishes to you all.
@sodapop (977)
• United States
11 Jul 07
I haven't been able to get on for a couple of days, but I've been saying my prayers for your FIL...I'm so glad to hear he's out of the hospital! Yeah, I think I would be singing that song....MAJOR LAW SUIT....pharmacist nowadays seem to think they know more than doctor's...just like the nurses sometimes. I hate the way we treat our elderly people in this country!!!!!!
1 person likes this
@kidkirstie (71)
•
10 Jul 07
thats good news is he well my dads ill know but anyway good luck
1 person likes this
@yashchoraria (46)
• India
10 Jul 07
what if daddy is finally at home it doesnt affect me or my work if dday is at home bcz he is very friendly to me
and talks to me as i am his friend.so i am not afraid of my dad and neither i was ever .
i hope every one gets a nice daddy like i have
best of luck for next birth.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
11 Jul 07
What are you talking about? Nothing that you said makes an ounce of sense and no one needs you to comment if you aren't going to at least stay with the subject.
1 person likes this
