#scd&me

[mcors]

Club Life: From Admission to Discharge

Here's a picture journal of my last stay at the Club (the nickname my friends gave to my hospital when I was in college. They said that the only time I took anytime off from school was when I went into the hospital. On top of that I always got sick during the holiday breaks) I'll take you from the beginning of my crisis at home. To unpacking my bags after adimission in my new room. Once I'm done setting up the room so that is more livable. I spend a lot of time alone so, I fill it by dressing up and doing my hair and make-up. Then, I have a photo shoot or 2. This time my bear decided to join me, lol! Sometimes the pain, pressure and anxiety becomes too much and I can't take it anymore. Just as I'm about to fall out completely I'm reminded that there are worst things than having Sickle Cell. As I'm told my neighbor in the next room has just passed away from cancer. I often find myself doing the things I did as a child to further distract myself from the pain and shenanigans. So I stuffed my bear and sewd him up. He got a complete body make-over! LOL! After all the ups and downs, playing America's Next Top Model at all hours of the day and night...I'm finally DISCHARGED!!! As always I have to take the Discharged I.V. Stripper Pole Dance pic. It's kinda tradition but, I don't remember how it started *smh*, lol! Once I get home I'm completely and totally drained. I go straight to bed and sleep for at least 10 hrs straight! There's no one waking me up every 4hrs for whatever. My body is adjusting to being off the iv and pain meds. I become so tired that it takes about 2 days to really rest before trying to pick-up where I left off. After I wake-up I have to start the process of unpacking. I swear it's almost like unpacking from a vacation. I mean I have 2 suitcases, a bag of make-up, smell goods and hair stuff. Then there's all of the souvenirs the hospital hands out....bags, cups, alcohol pads, paper tape, and tegaderm LOL! Oh yeah and all of the little packages of condiments that come the food trays. I don't know why but, I always seem to leave the hospital with more stuff than I brought...just like going on vacation, lol. @ Los Angeles, California

[mcors]

The I.V. and SCD (Sickle Cell Disease)

Dear Medical Community,

The following phrases are no longer acceptable excuses as to why you cannot start an IV on any patient especially, a Sickle Cell patient.

1- "You don't have any veins."

If a patient is talking to you...breathing and in need of an IV then, they have veins!

2- "Oh...you're a hard stick, hunh?"

*sigh* I would imagine that trying to insert a needle covered in a thin, flimsy plastic catheter into a vein is a challenge. Actually getting that catheter into the vein without going through it is difficult. Finally, being able to not only thread the entire catheter into the vein, get blood return and flush it with saline is rather hard regardless, of the circumstances. So, why is it necessary to single out one person or a group of people by applying such a label? When it's clear that the act of starting an IV is a very arduous job regardless of the patient's veins.

3- "Your veins are so little and they roll...have other nurses been able to get you?"

*smh* Again it's not helpful to point out the undesirable circumstances concerning the patient's veins. At best you're creating an environment of doubt. One in which, if you try and succeed, you're a miracle worker. On the other hand, If you make a failed attempt, it's still ok. For the simple reason that you've already laid the blame on your patient before you even started. Therefore, by even trying to take on such a laborious task, you still look good. After all, it's the patient's fault for having such messed up veins to begin with, right?

By asking if another nurse in the office or hospital unit has been successful in putting in the IV. You're simply giving yourself an out. While simultaneously, enforcing the negative stereotypes that plague SCD patients throughout their entire lives. All the while making your lack of skill their fault.

4- "It blew, AGAIN? What happened this time? What did you do to it?"

It is well known that SCD patients live large parts of their lives in and out of hospitals. Generally attached to machines that deliver blood transfusions, IV hydration and much needed pain medications and benadryl. Over time our veins become damaged...small, hard, often invisible to the naked eye. They are used and abused so much that even when we have a good IV, the vein just gives out because it's been used too much. This reoccurring incident is no one's fault especially, not the patient's.

In closing, please understand that blaming the patient for your lack of skill will no longer be tolerated. It is not the responsibility of the patient to train you in your field. We will no longer standby and continue to be villanized and blamed for your failure to study, train and practice skills that unfortunately, are detrimental to our care.