Jus a check een…
Bwoy, weekend gone was a helluva one. Started with a cocktail function Friday nite, which wasn’t three bad at all. Left there at about 11 PM, linked some bredrins and passed thru some of Kingston’s night time entertainment spots. Seemed the city was a bit on a lull, but enjoyed what was taken een nevertheless. Made it home at about 3:30 AM….hit the sheets to get some rest in time for the Saturday and Sunday of being on call.
Lo and behold, at 8:00 AM…still not rested enuff, the land line at the yard rings. Was mi boss calling me to ask if I had heard about the resignation of the CEO from the hospital. Course, I was clueless. Neither of us really shedding any tears on that note still, as for reasons unknown to us, a lotta phuckries was being hurled at our service from her. We who with a very small staff service so many patients (and we won’t even bodda mention the heap o staff members we see….frig it, I did mention it!)
Anyhow, we had nine patients in hospital under our care. Saturday afternoon, I increased that number to ten by admitting a lady. Won’t get into her diagnosis, as it would involve too much explanation to non medics like most of you. Anyhow, I did what I needed to with her, carried out my investigations and instituted a treatment regime. Within a few hours, nurses call me to say the lady unresponsive!? I was quite perturbed…..I left the woman fully conscious and alert about four hours ago…what the rass could have made her become unresponsive?
Well, I pressed out the Accord to get up there and indeed, when I arrived, woman not responding to verbal or painful stimuli, and looking at her pupils, already fixed and dilated with no response to light!!?? So, seems lady had some terminal event….we feel either a Massive Pulmonary Embolus (clot in her lungs) or a Cerebrovascular Accident (stroke). I eventually pronounced her dead a few hours later. Really sad state of affiars. So, as the law requires, death ocurring within 24 hours of admission to hospital is an indication for a Coroner’s Autopsy. So, had to do the paperwork to arrange for that yesterday. First time since I have been in practice that I have had to request a Coroner’s Autopsy. But, I guess it is part of my work. Was not easy to inform her relatives of her demise at all……
So, it was a ruff weekend and I still tiyad…but a so it go.
Am flashing tomorrow evening to Ft. Lauderdale, back on Sunday. Don’t look for any posts before then, it naw go happen. Other than that, man jus a do what him have to do. Drop me a few comments and keep on doing your part for Jamaica Land We Love and mankind at large.
February 6th, 2007 at 10:09 pm Sorry your patient died. Something was probably brewing in her system before she came to the hospital. Good that you’re in a specialty where losing patients is a rare occurrence. I remember an intern in one of the hospitals I worked sitting on the floor and sobbing when she lost her first patient. I and others said we hoped she’d be specializing in dermatology or opthalmology, not cardiology. RJR has an update into that UHWI mess. It doesn’t look pretty.
February 6th, 2007 at 10:47 pm Sigh. Sorry to hear about your patient. Cannot begin to imagine what her family must be going through. Love how you also managed to drop the ‘Accord’ mention in the story. Very effective hint ’bout your new ride.
February 6th, 2007 at 10:52 pm Happy Birthday in Heaven to Brother Bob. One Love.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:14 pm sorry about your patient. thats ruff
February 7th, 2007 at 9:48 am Wow what a weekend Doc. So sorry tuh hear yuh loosing a patient, but I guess it comes with de terrotory. So yuh heading in muh neck of the woods, if yuh check mail and read response. Hit me up at the email maybe we can do a linkup. Enjoy!!
February 7th, 2007 at 6:23 pm Doc I often wonder if doctors get accustommed to death and losing patients.seems not from your post and that’s good
February 7th, 2007 at 8:29 pm well good thing I read your blog tonight because i sent you an email which will now be null and void since yuh naw guh deh deh.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:17 pm I guess death is an inescapable part of life. Trust all is well…enjoy the trip.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:53 pm of course, being the wutliss so-called friend u claim @ be, will not hear from u all weekend - WHATEVER!!!!
February 11th, 2007 at 8:52 pm OMG that’s frightening! See why the med. profession couldn’t be for me? Wow! I’d be bawling everytime a patient dies. So yu get the new car. Nice!
February 12th, 2007 at 7:24 pm Seven, the few days were just absolutely hectic….I apologize, what with getting flu and all while there I really didn’t get aound to calling. Only called Rufie. Next time.
February 13th, 2007 at 2:23 pm Whats up Doc? Sorry to hear your patient passed on. No doubt, the most difficult aspect of your profession. Ft. L, nice. Right now I’m in 3ft snow and a cool -18 C. L.