What Would You Rather Do

[Guest]

Alog with the other poll, I'd like to know what wou would rather do.

 

[Karlynn]

I haven't been in the position for a choice yet. Stopping with nothing is not even an option. I think I'd choose the Lovenox at home, just because being in the hospital, and prolonging a stay, is not a pretty thought.

 

[JimL]

I voted for one of the three options, although I'm not quite sure of the question. I would have preferred a fourth option, stay on warfarin and have the procedure done. I assume that you're talking about a more serious procedure where that is not an option.
I searched through quite a few doctors last year before I found one would would do some skin surgery while I remained on warfarin. The surgery went fine.

 

[bvdr]

Jim, me too. If at all feasible I would rather stay on warfarin and take my chances that way.

 

[Guest]

I meant when continuing warfarin is not an option.

 

[tommy]

Lovenox Bridge

Lovenox Bridge

I have crossed the Lovenox Bridge several times. Actually still on the bridge right now. The shots at home are no big deal for me.

I suppose if I had a history of clotting, I may investigate being hospitallized with heparin drip, since that gives the docs a bit more flexibility.

 

[Ross]

My choice would be Lovenox, but I don't think my insurance will see it that way. They'll go for hospitalization because they are an HMO. I voted Lovenox though.

 

[fyrfytr]

I am with JimL, I would prefer not to stop but if I have too, I would chose the Lovenox.
Take Care

 

[Harpoon]

What would I rather do if what???


If it comes to a medical procedure that might be complicated by being on warafin I'd prefer to be in a hospital during the time that the proceedure was being done (I'm gonna be there anyways right?) and probably be on heparin for the duration.

I don't recall what's involved in going from warafin to heparin and back to warafin, I was somewhere "out in left field" when they covered that part during class...


I don't think I could handle shots at home very well. For starters, I would NOT shoot myself up. It would have to be someone else administering the injections, most likely my wife.


My approach to ALL of this adventure (and my life in general) has been to take things as they come. If I'm confronted with the question then I'll weigh my options as best as I can and pick a direction, until that point everything's hypothetical.

I have a few things set out, possibilities and eventualities that I know are most likely in my future and best prepared for ahead of time. My family knows of my wishes should I become incapacitated. I don't have living will on file per se, however they do know that if I have no reasonable chance of recovery from whatever might strike me down, I do not wish to have my life dragged along on life support for any length of time.

I don't know the legalities on this, but I suspect a "do not resucitate" order would be complicating given our conditions. I don't know how they define it, but from what I do know (or at least have been lead to believe) resucitation involves restarting the heart. Well, your heart's stopped for OHS right?

Usually at least.

The "litmus" test is if my brain is still working. If that's shot, the game is over. If doctors expect I can regain at least most of my abilities after a traumatic event (ie. stroke) then all reasonable efforts should be made upon my behalf.


In high school, back in the day when I was a rebel skater (I don't skate much anymore, but I still ride my board once in a while, usually after giving my son a few rides in a sitting position) I had a magazine page hung up in my high school locker with an ad on it showing two images. One was a photo of skater performing some stunt (I think a backside air over a ramp) and the other just image was just all black. Underneath was the caption: "I'd rather be deaf than blind."

Yup. As much as I love my music, loving being able to communicate verbally and being able to just HEAR stuff, I could adjust to deafness. I could learn sign.

I lose my art, my identity, if I can't see.


DId I ramble enough for ya?????


Oy!

 

[Georgia]

My theory is, avoid hospitalization whenever possible (I used to say "at all costs" but have modified that . . .). I'm always concerned about infection at hospitals and simply think that the fewer and shorter the stays, the better off I am.

Therefore, Lovenox. The question becomes - who can I get to inject me? I don't think Jim would take that on for love nor money (I'm a needle wimp). Probably my daughter.

I'd be a BAD patient for heparin drip. What do you do in the hospital when you're not sick?

 

[Lorraine]

I'm with some of the others. Though I voted for shots at home, I don't know who would give them to me. I'm not going to shoot myself up! An I don't have my cats trained to do that sort of thing!

I would prefer to stay on the Coumadin but just take a lower dosage since I metabolize so fast!

 

[Sierra Bob]

What Would You Rather Do

I'll be on home injection of Lovenox next month prior to having part of my jaw bone removed due to osteoradionecrosis (dead jaw bone do to radiation for Head & Neck Cancer).

 

[tommy]

Lovenox Needle

Lovenox Needle

Hey folks, the Lovenox needle is a small/short one and injected into the surface tissues in the belly. I know, for some people any needle is a bad needle. With a small amount of training, you can give it to yourself. No, you can't close your eyes

 

[Guest]

Thanks to all who responded to these two polls. We gave the talk to 33 people, about 20 were doctors. Seven were just finishing their training and nine were just beginning theirs, so maybe we caught them in time to learn something.

 

[Ross]

Did them seem like they actually paid any attention to what was said? I guess I should ask, did the poll questions get put to them?

 

[Guest]

I didn't ask the questions, but from my experience and the comments on this site, it is obvious that doctors fear bleeding more than clotting.

About 1/2 of the doctors were new medical school graduates here for orientation before they begin their residency on July 1. They listen to everything.

Do not get sick on July 1 because all over the country new doctors are just starting their training.

 

[Mary]

Ross,
Put July 1 on the calendar so everyone remembers!
Mary