August 26, 2004

'ROUTINE' SURGERY....ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE

When you are scheduled to go under the knife, for what a doctor may call routine surgery, it's anything but that. This morning we heard that a very good friend of the family, someone who sort of had a hand in my parents getting together, died from pneumonia after having a 'routine' colon operation.

Dr D will have to enlighten us about the susceptability of surgery patients for getting pneumonia and dying from that, rather than from what the surgery was for. Does lack of nursing care have anything to do with that? Not turning the patient often enough? Don't know, but whatever it is, he is gone, leaving 3 children, one of whom shampoos etc our dogs. There are grand kids as well.

Oh how you wish you could first of all see into the future, and second of all turn back the clock.

Posted by yamfoot at August 26, 2004 11:33 AM
Comments

I found out a long time ago that there is no such thing as routine when you mention medicine more so surgery. I dropped off my wife a few years ago to do a minor female type procedure, when I went to pick her up I was told that she would have to remain for several days for observation since her BP fell while on the table. The doctor later told me that she could have died. Thank God she is still very much alive.

Very sorry to hear about your family friend. May the comfort of God, family and friends lift up those who are hurting over their loss.

Posted by: scratchie at August 26, 2004 03:46 PM

As Scratchie said, I am sorry to hear what has happened to this man. It is a hard road they have travelled.

Posted by: Mad Bull at August 26, 2004 11:23 PM

Sorry to hear Yammie. Nevertheless, I don't know the details of the case, but certainly, I could write an essay easily on the possible complications that can invlove any surgical proceedure, routine or not. Even when the necessary precautions are taken, there are times that things just don't turn out the right way. How old was the patient? Pneumonia in the elderly is often times bad news, especially if acquired in hospital, as the bacteria that live in hospital are far more serious bugs than what one would acquire at home.

That's about all I can say.

Posted by: Dr. D. at August 27, 2004 09:19 AM

He could have been about 70 Dr D. Somewhere around there too and there were other medical issues so maybe they took their toll.

I had major surgery at age 6. That was an emergency situation (appendectomy.....the parents said it was from eating too much but I am sure nutten don't go so cause I've heard of skinny people having that!!!).

Dr Bell told the parents if I was not out in X amount of hours, that things were grim. Happily I came through and one of the first things I said when I woke up was "I'm hungry".

Fun and joke aside though, it's sad that someone who was sharing joy with us 4 months ago, is no longer here. Thanks for your words of condolences.

Posted by: Michelle at August 29, 2004 03:43 PM