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In a message dated 3/16/2006 3:28:51 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, LANTERN@yahoogroups.com writes:
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 11:28:29 -0800 (PST)
From: Linda Murphy <mrphylnd@...>
Subject: Re: Refused Medical Treatment due to Latex Allergy..
Dear Trudy
I am sorry to hear about the trouble you and your family have been having. No one but yourself can make that decision. I was dx 10 years ago as well. Although there have been some changes the suppliers and the industry for latex have the money and the means to continue to push their products on healthcare facilities and people. If you go to "Michael Moore's site" he is doing a documentary on healthcare and pharmacetucial company's. More awareness needs to be made. One doctor along time ago stated the only way these will change is when the large company's are hit in their pocketbooks. Have you tried getting a hold of any talk shows?
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help?
What did you mean that your friend almost got killed?
You seem to have changed alot of protocal in the area hospitals and doctors offices. You should be prooud....
Look forward to hearing from you.
Linda
Hi Linda,
I to was diagnosed 10 years ago. Although my first anaphylaxis was during surgery in 1994. I was on breathing treatments for about three month afterwards. They never told me it had happened and pretty much treated me as if I were crazy. The "All in Your Head" medical treatment. :>(( (I didn't sue because I would have to shut up. I WON'T DO THAT, EVER!!!)
Yes, I have contacted Oprah, Dr. Phil, even Montel Williams when he went public with his MS. None have taken the time to contact me. I have had two article written about me in the Dearborn Press & Guide. I am going to contact the reporter again and see if she would like to write another. Over the years, I have contacted all the TV channels in my area, none would come and speak to me. Channel 4 did a very small piece about a year ago. I also seen an episode of "Trauma in the ER" back last June and it was re-aired on August. 8, 2005.. I tried to get a transcript of that show but they said they don't sell them anymore.. The doctor went into anaphylaxis right on camera. No one knew why she couldn't breathe. We knew the moment the camera was put on her face. The red flushed checks and she had been clearing her throat from the moment the scene started. They finally were able to understand her, she had NRLA but never said anything to anyone in the hospital. They took the gloves off OVER HER FACE>>> Of course making the reaction worse. I am sure for fear of her job. She had kept it quiet for the last few years. Which is what I have found to be the norm with HCW during my many surgeries. It is so sad to see them get worse each time I go back in..
As for my friend almost being killed. This story will take a few minutes to explain. In December 2004, I got celulitis in my leg after an episode of 3 epi-pens during the holidays. I had to stick myself through my pants. Not a good idea, but unavoidable at the time.. I was already in a hypersensitive state so my doctor put me in a negative pressure room at the hospital. I was in the hospital for 6 days.
We brought in one of our home air-filter and Joe prepared my food and brought it up to me. No one was allowed into my room without following the protocol we had in place at the time. "A wipe down, a mask, no perfume, hair products, had to shoe covers, etc. " It worked well the whole time I was there. For some unknown reason, The Head Nurse decided I was not going to be in that room.
The morning her attack happened, I was going down to have a picc line put in to go home on IV antibiotics. When my nurse came in and told me the head nurse was going to have me moved out of that room, I told her to tell her to call my doctor. I was not going to move, I was going home. (Personally, she was trying to bully me because this had been an on going thing with her for two days.) She pushed into my room, walked up to my bed, without the precautions. First I asked her to step back. When she didn't I had to TELL her to step back and not come so close to me. Her remark was "yes, I saw your article". I reached over and turned the air-filter on high. I continued to take my pre-meds to go down for my IV.. (I always wear a NIOSH HEPA mask.) I explained to her it was silly for me to move now, I was going home. The picc line would only take about another hour and a half. But, She refused to wait. I suggested she call down to radiology and set it up so I could leave the hospital from there. We had done it before. We would just take everything down there with us. Even this was not enough for her. When she refused to cooperate I told her I was not going to go to another room and risk causing a reaction that could keep me there longer. I wanted to go home where I was safer. She stormed out.
The more I thought about it, I figured it was time to see if charging her with assault (for entering the room and putting me at risk) would help her understand. I called security, the nurses station, my doctor's office and my husband. Needless to say, almighty "you know what", hit the fan. The male nurse who came in my room with her, came back to apologize. He was very nice about it. He also said he seen no reason why I needed to be moved.
She was not going to stop and came back to my room. By this time I was upset and feeling really bad and having trouble breathing. This woman came towards me with her hands UP. I was sitting in a chair and I thought she was going to hit me. Well, being a Steel Worker who worked with 274 MEN for 12 years, I was not about to take this from her. I screamed at her to get out of my room, over and over. She just stood there. I called out the door for help and she STILL STOOD THERE. One of the other nurses had to push her out. Well, when I went down to radiology she was on the phone telling them their patient was on her way and she was upset. However, she never told them I was to be released from there.. This ended with me having to go outside until they were able to release me. By this time ~ I was furious. Of course I filed a complaint with the hospital.
The bad news though, my very dear friend ended being admitted to the same floor. She was so sick and needed her Gallbladder removed. This hag would not allow her to put up her latex caution signs. She put her in with another patient that was getting physical therapy with rubber bands. Which, we are supposed to be put into private rooms for our safety. When she would react she would not allow her to stick herself with her epi-pen. She put her through living hell. She never slept unless her husband was with her. She was afraid she would not wake up. She called her sister and asked her to take care of her kids, she didn't think she would come out of there. Her recovery took a long time due to this hag's actions. I felt like it was my fault. I know it wasn't, but this is the kind of thing we have had to deal with for so long that I am simply sick of it. This has to be stopped.
I will visit Michael Moore's site, maybe he can help us. Not being a HCW myself, most people look at me as if I don't know what I am talking about. That is why I always start my conversations with one question - "What would you do if you could not longer work at this job, eat the foods you like, wear the clothes you have on or visit friends and family ~ FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?" It usually gets their attention.
During the hospital episode with this witch, I met two other nurses who were showing severe signs of NRLA. The one was very young and she was only there for about 35 minutes when she entered my room. She was already clearing her throat, sniffling and her eyes were red. She started to ask me questions and I stopped her. I asked her to let me ask her a few questions first. I told her what it was like to go home after working all day. Taking a shower with the latex caulking, eating the tomato sauce on the pasta, taking her bra off and having a wide red ring around her chest. Taking off her pants with elastic in the waist and finding the same red ring. Taking off her shoes and the bottom of her feet and stinging. And then having all of these areas itch for a while. By the time I finished talking, she was crying. It broke my heart to watch her realize what she had not been able to understand for so long.
Linda, I put myself in situations like this because someone has to. I cannot let anyone else end up living like I have to. So, I will keep teaching, spending my money on postage, long distance calls, etc. Just so people know more than they did yesterday about NRLA. Yes, I have accomplished a great deal in this area. When I know I am going into the hotel (hospital) I take no less than 50 packets of NRLA information. By the time I am in my room, they are all gone. I have HCW's come to my room on their breaks to talk to me. So, if putting myself out there will help change things, then I will do what I have to.
Thanks for listening. (sorry for the length) Hugs to you...
Take Care & Be Safe,
Trudy
Trudy
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