A walk in the park is peaceful. A time to slow the pace of life and take in environmental delights! Here you’ll find uncomplicated Read the rest of this entry »
Category Archives: Healthcare
Again? Thank you for the prayers.
Advocacy. Listening. Persistence. Life. Health. POA. TPN. SICU. Ventilator. Disability. Rehabilitation. Healthcare. These are just a few terms that one’s dear friend is learning by experience. An experience no one wants to find themselves in.
First I do want to thank everyone for their prayers for the person who has shared our home for the past 4 years and I’ve known since age 5. In her struggle for life she found “healthcare is good if you never need it!” She never needed it before, but when she had developed progressive problems no one seemed to hear her complaints. A common complaint to many!
Over a short time she became worse. Finally her body would no longer go regardless of how hard her mind pushed. Her life came to a stand still! She was no longer well enough to work. She feared loosing her jobs. Now, all she wants is her health. We all have hope and prayer.
It’s been a tough month, but something I’m familiar with … on all levels! I was saddened to see how healthcare professionals expect everyone (regardless of education) to know exactly what was happening and to totally understand everything in their time of crisis.
It seems like no one has time to educate. What’s more important than health? It’s been a time to constantly educate and that’s kept me busy in a way I’d rather not be but I’m comfortable with this yet exhausted and overwhelmed. There is no routine.
My dear friend is entering territory that no one wants to enter. Her future looks bleak, so it’s day-by-day … but hopeful!
Persistence saved her life. Albeit, quality of life altered significantly. Five attempts at getting proper healthcare. Finally someone heard her desperate plea for help but most importantly they did blood work. She’s never been sick in her entire life.
The next thing I knew she was calling to let me know they were preparing her for the first emergency surgery. I arrived within the hour at the emergency room. After two surgeries and a number of medical procedures she is now off a ventilator but continues to struggle for life in an acute rehabilitation center with many medical complications from multi-system failure.
It’s unbelievable that she survived and I know anyone who had visited during this time feels the same. Her outcome is unpredictable, and only time will tell.
Education has been out but others don’t act upon it. I just want everyone to make sure they clearly know what they need to do in a true life-altering medical emergency. Do you have a Healthcare Power of Attorney? Do you have a Financial Power of Attorney? Don’t wait till this happens. Every second counts when dealing with life-threatening illness and injuries.
Do you have a place where updated telephone numbers are easily accessible? Do you know what your loved one wants? Please have these discussions. It’s your responsibility and its your life! Time is of essence when dealing with life-altering illness or injuries. It’s a time of action and support, and not time for discussion.
Who are your advocates? Being prepared makes these crisis easier to handle. Are you ready if it happens in your family? If you panic in crisis do you have someone who will react calmly to the most devastating news?
Related articles
- DIY Documents, Part 4: Powers of Attorney (leichtlaw.wordpress.com)
- Finances and Your Aging Parents (creditrepair.com)
- Piper’s emergency surgery (paisleyandpiper.wordpress.com)
- Rates of Emergency Bowel Surgery Vary Wildly from State to State: John Hopkins Researchers (medindia.net)
**********All material presented on Brain Injury Self Rehabilitation (BISR) is copyright and cannot be, copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Edith E. Flickinger, BSN RN.
Simple tips for brain and spinal cord injury, illness, injury, aging, children, adults, everyone … Questions to ask your healthcare professionals
When you come across health issues there are a number of questions you and your advocate need to ask. It’s difficult to know what questions to ask when your world is turned upside down and you are not familiar with healthcare systems. Either the patient or the advocate, or both should ask these questions.
The best outcome to all health issues is dependent on the educated patients and advocates. Asking the following questions will help you take control, eliminate some stress and struggles with healthcare and focus on ones optimal level of functioning. This is a comprehensive but not all inclusive list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. Read the rest of this entry »
In the aftermath of terrorism … Who gets rehabilitation
In the aftermath of terrorism many questions remain. Many people have lost what was “normal”. They will be searching for a new normal. Most will find that balance with help. Are we ready to help in all the ways they need? Who will get rehabilitation and what type of rehabilitation? Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips … enhancing one’s well-being with TBI, SCI, Chronic Illness and Aging Part 2 of 2
When one’s life changes, do others “accept” these changes? Can you return to previous employment Read the rest of this entry »
Do you think you should be feeling better? You should! Dr. Charles Parker , a Neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and author of two books is offering a free webinar March 14th 6-8 pm (eastern time). This includes an interactive session and expert advice of “brain science”, including TBI along with ADD.
This neuroscientist starts getting a biological profile to determine balance with neurotransmitters, hormones, and trace minerals. Read the comment about a gentleman who improved after 18 years. It sounds like a very similar story to mine.
With advances like this, TBI symptoms could possibly be managed with the quality of life improving drastically. Let’s all keep pushing for quality and searching for the proper professionals. One of his books “Deep Recovery” focuses on “labels” during recovery/rehabilitation and where the focus should be during evaluation, assessment and treatment for adequate care.
I truly believe signing up for this Shindig will be an educational opportunity no one wants to miss. What do you think about the research, and possible improvement in TBI symptoms and quality of life?
Remember – links on this site are dark grey to reduce distraction potential
while you’re reading. They turn red on mouseover.
Find out how much better you COULD be doing — directly from Dr. Charles Parker
by Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, CTP, CMC, ACT, MCC, SCAC
An article in the ADD Advocacy Series
THIS is your shot – free of charge
As I said on an earlier post,Dr. Charles Parker, fellow ADD advocate, is one of the physician crusaders for specificity – of diagnosis and of treatment approaches – and he will be at your service on March 14th, 2013, no matter where you are in the world, at no charge whatsoever.
Neuroscientist, adult and child psychiatrist, Dr Parker is the originator of CorePsych, and the creator of an amazing amount of high-value webcontent in various formats on the CorePsych Blog.
He is also the author of two books containing information you…
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Slightly dysfunctional circumstances surrounding TBI
How dysfunctional is one’s family? Dysfunctional is a common term in healthcare and the general population. There is NO perfect family. Every family is dysfunctional. It’s just the degree of dysfunction that occurs. Slightly dysfunctional, or slightly in denial? Read the rest of this entry »
The hardest work ever
Just a brief over view what happened during the years of recovery. I struggled daily with only energy for 3 to 4 hours every day. All my life before this injury I use to sleep not more than 3 or 4 hours a night. I did not have time to sleep. I was simply too busy. I worked, and I worked hard! Read the rest of this entry »
Mother-in-law moves in
Nearly everyone has a mother-in-law story. I encourage everyone to remain independent and in their own homes. This doesn’t mean they can’t participate in outside functions, attend family activities or have special outings with friends. A little help is all others need.
Does aging have to be depressing? Read the rest of this entry »
Is sleep a problem
Sleep is a common problem. Most people dealing with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, ADD-ADHD, chronic medical conditions and injuries and more, have difficulty with sleep. I recommend clicking on the highlighted red link to Sleep Struggles and Disorders for a comprehensive and quick list and easy to navigate.
This site has an extensive list of all types of sleep problems. Additions and deletions of articles will be maintained. Go to the bottom of the page and click and read the links you are interested.
English: Diagram illustrating the influence of dark-light rythms on circadian rythms and related physiology and behavior. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
These Links about Sleep, Sleep Struggles & Disorders, ADD, Spectrum & Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Apnea, Insomnia, Narcolepsy, Rarer Sleep Disorders, Other elements impacting sleep, Light, vision, and sleep … and more.
Please leave comments as you explore these links. What is helpful and what is not? How do these sleep disorders apply to your life and situation?
Simple tips how to organize bedroom closet and drawers after traumatic brain injury
Keeping organized is essential to good mental and physical health. Organization conserves Read the rest of this entry »
Do not get that towel wet
A friend and I went to the local recreation center to try some water exercise. This was her first time following 7 brain surgeries. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips understanding how disorganization can be disruptive: comparing ADD and brain injury
Keeping organized is essential to recovery from brain injury. Clutter overwhelms the brain and may cause Read the rest of this entry »
Both sides to this scenario: physician and receptionist versus patient
Do the physicians really know what’s happening at the front desk? Is it the patient that has the problem? Is it the receptionist’s problem? Usually Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … another day another year
I tried on and off all day to post a simple laughter note. All I wanted to say Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to taking back control and saving relationships after injury Part 2 of 2
It’s never too late to change. If you have a new or old injury make sure you are doing what you can for yourself. You need to focus on the things you can do. Evaluate the things you might be able to do, and try to do these things. Repetition brings success. Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter as brain injury medicine … socks hanging on door
Have you laughed today? Oh, how I love helping others and being their advocate … but sometimes Read the rest of this entry »
2007 Christmas family gathering where most people wouldn’t expect
It’s the holiday season and reminders of years past. It’s bad enough that my subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred December 22, 1991 … a date I will never forget and left my life and my immediate family’s altered forever! What comes to mind now is Christmas time 2007! Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to taking back control and saving relationships after injury Part 1 of 2
If you are depending on others to help get you through the early phases after brain injury, illness or other health issues remember to keep these dependencies temporary. Take back control and do all the things you can do for yourself providing you stay safe. Put fear behind you. Don’t let fear control you. Don’t depend, join in and attend life! Read the rest of this entry »
Laughter is the best brain injury medicine … just one childhood moment with friend
With all the sadness in the world, it’s time to laugh again! Have you ever done something as a child you never told your parents about? What was the motivation for doing it? Children are innocent and they have memories their parents Read the rest of this entry »
If I could have, I would have … The Caring Children Program
In 1990 and 1991 two nurses from Cleveland, Ohio health systems founded programs that taught children several levels of health in the elementary school setting. The “Caring Children Program” was taught in the classroom and other community settings as a team effort with nurses and children. Teaching focused on preventive health, education and understanding through hands-on skills and active participation. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips helping others
At times life seems complicated and everything one does just does not make sense. You get up and look in the mirror. You consider yourself fortunate that you’ve survived … sometimes! Because of the superficial society no one understands what life is truly like. You look good, must be nothing wrong! That couldn’t be any further from the truth!
Appearance is the one thing that most those who traumatic brain injury, aging, chronic illness, and mental illness can control. They take pride in their appearance when out in public. Often it is the only thing under one’s control.
How many have been told to look how much someone can accomplish after they have lost limbs or have some other physical injuries? Is the frustration with brain injury justifiable? Is losing a limb comparable to brain injury? Next two “Simple Tip Posts” is a situation from someone who experienced both. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips understanding HIPAA Regulations
Healthcare Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996, otherwise known as HIPAA, not HIPPA! Remember “AA” not “PP”! Read the rest of this entry »
Have you read “Are Hospitals Less Safe Than We Think?”
In Newsweek September 17, 2012, John Hopkins surgeon, Marty Makary addressed a number of problems within our healthcare system that employees do not talk about. Read the rest of this entry »
Simple tips to help you feel better instantly
When you feel as though everything you are doing isn’t helping there is still something you can do to help make yourself feel better. You’re probably tired about hearing you need good nutrition and exercise. This is true, good nutrition and exercise are essential to your optimal level of health. Nutrition and exercise needs to be a lifestyle change and that takes at least 5 weeks of consistent change. What about an instant change that doesn’t include nutrition or exercise? Read the rest of this entry »
This is a big reason we can’t get health care
I found one of the real reasons why I couldn’t get medical care. Healthcare professionals are not doing their jobs as I have repeatedly written about. Please take a look at the following news clip. I was contacted by someone close to my situation and was advised of news release today. Read the rest of this entry »
Trust who with your life and healthcare? Why?
Trust is a basic need. When your life and health is jeopardized because those who you trust do not help where can you turn and what happens? I was initially injured October 30, 1991 and a subarachnoid hemorrhage in December 22, 1991. I was not treated or diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage until 2000 after gathering my medical records and having them reviewed as well as an excellent medical doctor who listened. Read the rest of this entry »
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