Eve's Life with Me -- Doctors

Doctors are your Enemies

I didn't understand this at first, although Eve tried to explain it to me. I understood that I had to be forceful with a hospital to get the treatment that was needed for Eve, but I didn't expect to have to fight them constantly. And although I am a flexible person, who can alter tactics to fit surprises, I have a weakness in that I have trouble altering overall strategies mid-battle.

But always remember, when you go to the hospital, your goals will NOT be the same as the hospital. The priorities for the hospitals WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

1) Make sure you don't die!

This doesn't mean they will treat your illness. No. No matter what is wrong with you, they will first look for anything that might cause you to die suddenly, and treat that first, no matter how wierd, unlikely, and inconsequential that possibility might be. Because if you die, besides making them feel bad, the doctors break rule #2.

2) Make sure the hospital doesn't get sued!

I'm giving the hospital the benefit of the doubt here by placing this second. If Rule #1 and #2 conflicted, there is ample evidence pointing in both directions of where most hospitals would go.

3) Comply with Government Regulations!

This is different than #2. You'll see why later on.

4) Treat the illness.

There are books that tell what treatment goes with each illness. Your opinions and preferences will not be noted.

5) Make patient comfortable.

This is not a priority, it is an option. No thought or consideration will be made for this unless you demand it. For to provide something that isn't absolutely necessary may break Rule #2. However, if you demand it, then its hard to sue them for giving it to you.

In most cases, the conflicts between your wishes and the Doctors will not make them your enemies. In Eve's case, however, they did, and I wish I understood that at the time.

By the way, we did find St. Joseph's 'Official' priorities. I will try to find them again and post them. But they were so unreal, and so completely contradictory to everything we experienced, that they could only be laughed at. Or cried at.

The Waiting Room

The Emergency Room

The Hospital Room

Hospital--Day 2

Hospital--Day 3

Hospital--Day 4

Hospital--Last Day