Perception Having Reality's Back

You've been sitting on that stretcher for an extended amount of time waiting to see where this "life" experience is going to take you haven't you?   How's your hiney feeling?  A little numb?  Frustration level up?  Anticipation causing your eyebrows to raise up into your hair line, been peeking out that curtain for Casper?    How many times have you said to your husband, daughter/son/friend/wife - "GO FIND MY NURSE!"??   Chances are human nature has prevented anyone from doing much more than the aforementioned.  "Peeking" out that curtain.   Why is that?   Why do you feel you have no rights during this ER experience?  What is the worse thing that you have imagined in your mind, that might happen if you "made some waves?" - what holds you back from taking BACK what little control you have over your health care?   What drives that fear of ownership in your own life? 

Before I go any further, I must, to protect myself; Place some kind of disclaimer at the beginning of each of my blogs.  Forgive the redundancy but it's the only way to protect myself while trying to offer you some truths, feelings, tenderness and some emotions. 

  First and foremost, the experiences that I post will have been changed to protect in every way all resemblance of any patient I or anyone I know, may have cared for in the past. The experience I draw from, to blog with you are my perception of real experiences however, the patients and their descriptions will be generalized and non-specific.  Experiences expressed could come from my vast experience in many different hospitals all over the United States.  It certainly does not mean that is happened to me yesterday, a week ago or a year ago - my experiences come from having been a medical professional in Emergency rooms since 1981.  That covers a lot of ground.  My experiences are my own and I have a right to share my "perception" of those experiences as long as I do not compromise the privacy of any said patient or any said hospital.   I hope this disclaimer is enough, honestly, I don't know what else I could say to exclaim that this is a blog born of love for my profession, my patients and my belief in being a patient advocate. An advocate for you, or perhaps for someone you  love.  It's pretty simple really.  I'm here; for you.

My disclaimer tomorrow will be obviously shorter but I needed to get it said.   

Fear;   Your curtain opens in the next blog.  Where we will confront your fear of opening the curtain yourself and of the Doc, RN or Tech who may be standing there when you do.   What drives your fear to empower yourself in your own health care?????      Input?