Nancy Mahre
Sep 1, 2018 · 4 min read

After a recent trip to the ER, I am still alive and able to tell the tale. Our local hospital hires MD’s from outside our local area on contract as hospitalists; some of them work for two weeks and go to wherever their homes are for the next two weeks. In a small community (like where I live) no one knows these MD’s and the MD’s do not know anything about the patients. If the would take the time to call the Doctor who regularly sees a certain patient they would be able to help that particular person.

I went to the ER because I was feeling dizzy, nauseous and just not feeling right. I had received a bump on the head a couple days before that and stated that numerous times to the staff in the ER. There was still a visible bump on my eyebrow that no one looked at or even acknowledged as a problem. A medical assistant from my doctor’s office drove me to the hospital because I was leery of driving myself.

When my friends came to make sure that I was alright, they had to wait until someone could ask me if I wanted them there. Because of prior medications (that I no longer take!) the DR decided that I was a mental case and decided to send me three to four hours drive away to a treatment center. That was on a Friday.

Background: I have battled with problems my entire adult life with depression, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis etc etc. The last psychiatrist that I saw told me that all the medications that I had taken in the past were not helping. She basically said that I had severe depression and obsessive compulsion disorder. No wonder I was depressed, all that pain and no way to take care of it. I have seldom used cannabis because it affects me too much. I started looking for ways to help my chronic pain, depression and etc. I started seeing a doctor who advertises now as a “wellness” doctor. It has taken about ten years but I am finally feeling healthy, happy, comfortable and energized.

I began taking CBD’s from hemp on his suggestion and found that it helped me. I was able to quit taking any pain medication and began feeling healthy again. I still had some aches and pains on occasion, but usually could cope with it by using CBD salves. A friend told me that CBD from cannabis was more effective because of the greater ratio of THC in the product. I use a 20 to one formula that has greatly improved my ability to function and gets me pain free. I no longer take anything for pain and was able to quit taking arthritis supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin, msm, etc) I take supplements suggested by the wellness doctor and ones that I think will help me with various health problems. I only go to the doctor for yearly check-ups for the last few years.

OK — back to the ER

It was Thursday afternoon, I had to wait hours to see a doctor (3:00 pm approx to about 11:00 pm that night — it was shift change — I guess the MD’s have 12 hour shifts) I do not know what happened in the over night. My friends had to leave — I was never checked into the Hospital itself, but kept in the ER for more than 12 hours. I was transported to a treatment center 3 to 4 hours drive from my home on Friday (I don not know what time and was told that I had a 14 day hold on me.

I do not remember the travel time at all, I assume that I was given medication to keep me restrained. I will need to ask for the records to find out for sure.

On Sunday I was told that I would have a court date on Tuesday, but could not talk to a lawyer until Monday. I actually talked to an attorney and a social worker on Monday but had to wait until Tuesday for court. The attorney came in on Tuesday and told me that the case would be dismissed and asked it I still wanted to be present at my hearing; of course I wanted to be present, I have worked in the courts for years.

It was an extreme inconvenience for me, disrupting my life, upsetting my family members, etc.

I still have not had any progress with finding out if the bump on my head is dangerous or not (it has been 2 weeks already) and am still waiting for an MRI — still having headaches and pain on the injury site.

I had an appointment yesterday (Thursday) (2 weeks after entering the ER) and the doctor (ARNP actually) did not even show up, just ordered more blood tests because my thyroid levels were high, (my “wellness doctor” has been treating me for thyroid problems). I still have no idea when I will get a referral for the MRI, but reminded the office staff and nurse that I really need to do that (even if I have to drive 45 minutes to the city, I do have a car that can go that far). I may have make my own appointment instead of waiting on my so-called doctor’s office.

Just another continuing saga….