How Do You Deal with "Bad News" from Your Doctor? Aftermath of a Pit Bull Attack (Frustrations with Emergency Care and Ongoing Wound Treatment)

[momus]

I was recently attacked by a huge pit bull while on my eBike. The hospital ER was a nightmare; I spent 18 hours there and never saw a doctor or was given a room. My regular GP then sent me to a wound clinic where I've been going back every week for a re-wrap of the ankle and exam. One of the antibiotics cost $55,000!, but my insurance paid it.

Last visit the tech unwraps my leg and says, "Looks healed to me." The clinic owner comes in and says, "Yep, it's healed." But then they start re-wrapping it. Meanwhile the doctor is talking with his staff about the concert he attended, and sort of casually tells me to come back in two weeks instead of one. Then he says, "I only know of one good vascular surgeon locally," and, "This is something you're going to be dealing with for the rest of your life." What? I sat there with my mouth open and never said a word because I could not believe what I was hearing.

Now I'm torn between going back up there Monday to ask a few dozen questions or just let it ride for 11 days and doing it then. Have others here found themselves in a similar situation?

 

[ECP]

Oh no, that sounds horrible! I have never been in the same situation, but if I were you, I would want to follow up with them as soon as possible and ask whether it is really healed or if it is something that requires lifelong monitoring. You could also talk to your regular GP and ask them to consult the doctor at the wound clinic on your behalf.

I really hope your ankle heals fully and as quickly as possible.

 

[momus]

I'm beginning to think my doctors might be just as dangerous as the pit bulls, so I'm looking for someone else to take a look, just to get another opinion. Unfortunately, this seems to fall into the category of a specialist issue.

 

[ECP]

Getting another opinion is a great idea. I hope you are able to find a specialist soon so that you can have some peace of mind.

 

[Varda]

Was the pit bull put down?

 

[hmmmmok]

Get a second opinion, and possibly consult an attorney as well. Wishing you the best of luck

 

[momus]

After more than six months of suffering and pain from this Pit Bull attack, the wound itself finally seems to have closed. The skin over it is new and paper thin, so I have to be careful. The problem I'm dealing with now is that I keep getting boils under the compression bandage. I have an appointment with my wound clinic coming up, and I hope I can get some answers there, but they're always so busy that it's hard to get into that mode.

Here's a little advice for someone who has gone through something traumatic:

If you feel you're not getting the care you need, tell your doctor or clinic and see where that leads. If you feel reluctant to see your doctor or surgeon, listen to that instinct and find someone else. Research different treatments online. They may or may not work, so keep very accurate notes. A week later you probably won't remember everything you read, so make sure you address anything and everything that stands out. If things don't improve, get another doctor.

Keep records! I can't stress this enough. Medical bills can be huge, even with insurance. Mine is well over $200,000 right now. If you can't pay them, be honest and tell them that. I had over $70,000 forgiven by St. Vincent, and they truly are saintly!

Make sure you have an outlet for your fears and concerns. Doctors are often battle-hardened, so I recommend seeing a nurse practitioner if possible (if it fits your situation) because they're usually easier to deal with. Do not take what doctors tell you as their final word. It may just be their opinion, and everyone has different opinions, but make absolutely sure you're on the right path with them.

Stay busy, because it helps divert your attention from your health issues. There's a lot more I could say, but maybe this will help someone.