So once again I find myself at thee mercy of the VA (Veterans Affairs) healthcare system. Now don't get me wrong, they have some amazing doctors that will go above and beyond for their patients, such as many of their specialists. I have been dealing with a rare form of cancer over the past two years and if it were not for my medical team at the SAVAHCS (Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System) I am certain that I would have died last year. However, I am not being treated by a specialist today.
A week ago Friday, I had a severe and violent coughing fit. After which, I began to develop horrible back pain. This pain increased exponentially with each passing day. After appointments with my PCM, Neurosurgeon, and Thoracic-surgeon, several blood tests, x-rays and a CT scan there was nothing definitive found. There was an identified mass found near my lung and they were worried that I might have a fractured rib, but that they were having trouble finding it because of all the metal in my back (I have a bionic spine!). I was given a prescription for strong narcotics and was told that if the pain did not begin to ease in the next few days they had a few more tests that they wanted to run. Then they wheeled me to the ER for acute pain management.
While in the ER I was in tears from the pain. They gave me IV drugs, but they were of little benefit. The nurse that was supposed to be taking care of me, informed me that because I was crying (not loudly, mind you) that she was afraid I was scaring other patients and that I would need to leave. Fortunately I was not the only one that found fault in her logic and the doctor came over to assist in my care. The next evening I was still in a great deal of pain and as the night progresses so did my discomfort. My husband decided to take me back to the emergency room. I was given pain killers and due to the length of the pain and frequent trips to the ER this week they decided to admit me.
The doctors exchanged information and then I was asked about my cough; they wanted to know if it was chronic and if I ever coughed up blood. I told them yes on both counts, but then I explained to them that just a few months prior I had half of my right lung removed and that the lung was still healing. I also informed them that my pulmonologist (who worked in that same hospital) had said this was normal during the healing process. As long as it was getting less frequent, not more so.
I was taken upstairs and quite happy to find that I was being given my own room. That joy was soon replaced with confusion and agitation when I realized that I was being put into isolation due to possible infectious disease. Apparently, the doctor that was now in charge of my care, decided that instead of my symptoms being in anyway related to my recent surgery, that it was much more likely that I had somehow contracted tuberculosis. So now, I will be spending the next three days in an isolation room.
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