new, pls help

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cmiller

New member
Hello all and thanks to everyone who has written a reply about my brother.
We live near Denver,CO and I have learned that we are fortunate to have National Jewish, who has an adult CF clinic. But they do not have an emergency room and are not taking appointments/calls until Tues, is this is a 3 day weekend. My brother goes to the VA hospital which is heavily overburdened and takes 3 months btwn appointments. He sat 7 hours in their ER last time, to be told to go home bc he wasn't sick. It has been a long, long road for him. He won't go back to the ER anymore, so we will wait until Tues to call National Jewish. Unless, with the CF diagnosis, MAYBE the ER would call the CF doc...?
Thank you again for your help. Best, Cheri
 
C

cmiller

New member
Hello all and thanks to everyone who has written a reply about my brother.
We live near Denver,CO and I have learned that we are fortunate to have National Jewish, who has an adult CF clinic. But they do not have an emergency room and are not taking appointments/calls until Tues, is this is a 3 day weekend. My brother goes to the VA hospital which is heavily overburdened and takes 3 months btwn appointments. He sat 7 hours in their ER last time, to be told to go home bc he wasn't sick. It has been a long, long road for him. He won't go back to the ER anymore, so we will wait until Tues to call National Jewish. Unless, with the CF diagnosis, MAYBE the ER would call the CF doc...?
Thank you again for your help. Best, Cheri
 
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Incomudrox

New member
NJH is one of the best hospitals in the US. You'll be in good hands once you're in there. You need to hydrate him and do some kind of chest clearance until you can call on Tuesday. I would imagine once you explain the situation they'll see you right away. Some mucinex might help, you can get it at the drug store, just make sure its WITHOUT cough suppressant. Load him up with some Gatorade if you can... replace some missing electrolytes and hydrate with the mucinex.
 
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Incomudrox

New member
NJH is one of the best hospitals in the US. You'll be in good hands once you're in there. You need to hydrate him and do some kind of chest clearance until you can call on Tuesday. I would imagine once you explain the situation they'll see you right away. Some mucinex might help, you can get it at the drug store, just make sure its WITHOUT cough suppressant. Load him up with some Gatorade if you can... replace some missing electrolytes and hydrate with the mucinex.
 
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Aboveallislove

Super Moderator
Cheri,
I'm very concerned that he may have a blockage. Is there another ER he can go to other than VA and tell them he has CF but no CF doctor and that he believes he may have IDOS and that a CF doctor needs to be consulted? An ER cannot release him if he is not stable--insurance or not--once he is at the hospital unless they conclude he is "stable", but if he tells them he has CF and potentially a blockage (IDOS), I believe they would admit him at least for the weekend, get directions from a CF doctor on what to do--it may be a transfer to National Jewish. If it were me, I wouldn't chance that it is a blockage/IDOS and I would not go back to VA hospital. Prayers continuing.
 
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Aboveallislove

Super Moderator
Cheri,
I'm very concerned that he may have a blockage. Is there another ER he can go to other than VA and tell them he has CF but no CF doctor and that he believes he may have IDOS and that a CF doctor needs to be consulted? An ER cannot release him if he is not stable--insurance or not--once he is at the hospital unless they conclude he is "stable", but if he tells them he has CF and potentially a blockage (IDOS), I believe they would admit him at least for the weekend, get directions from a CF doctor on what to do--it may be a transfer to National Jewish. If it were me, I wouldn't chance that it is a blockage/IDOS and I would not go back to VA hospital. Prayers continuing.
 
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Incomudrox

New member
^^^ The VA can do just about whatever they want and no one can tell them otherwise. They have the mentality that these men and women are soldiers and can tough it out. VA's aren't required to follow standard procedures IIRC. It's slightly different than a public military base run hospital/medical research facility.
 
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Incomudrox

New member
^^^ The VA can do just about whatever they want and no one can tell them otherwise. They have the mentality that these men and women are soldiers and can tough it out. VA's aren't required to follow standard procedures IIRC. It's slightly different than a public military base run hospital/medical research facility.
 
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Havoc

New member
I used to dread taking patients to the VA. The staff was horrible and so was the care.

You could try an ER that doesn't have a CF center. They could at least begin care, especially if there is an intestinal obstruction. Just make sure they are well aware of the CF diagnosis and insist that instead of being admitted to whichever hospital you choose to go to that he be transferred to NJH. They will have someone on call from the CF service who he will be admitted under.
 
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Havoc

New member
I used to dread taking patients to the VA. The staff was horrible and so was the care.

You could try an ER that doesn't have a CF center. They could at least begin care, especially if there is an intestinal obstruction. Just make sure they are well aware of the CF diagnosis and insist that instead of being admitted to whichever hospital you choose to go to that he be transferred to NJH. They will have someone on call from the CF service who he will be admitted under.
 
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bkc3

New member
VA probably not the best place for cf care, but may be able to help access drugs that he will need. Might not hurt to keep the option open. If you go to th er with cf and tell them you are in pain and think you have an obstruction, i would hope they could help. Thoughts and prayers
 
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bkc3

New member
VA probably not the best place for cf care, but may be able to help access drugs that he will need. Might not hurt to keep the option open. If you go to th er with cf and tell them you are in pain and think you have an obstruction, i would hope they could help. Thoughts and prayers
 
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dramamama

New member
Cheri~
Take him to the University of Colorado emergency room immediately... That is where National Jewish national Jewish admits CF patients. By going to their ER, you will see a CF doctor from National Jewish there...
It sounds emergent to me and if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to go..
 
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dramamama

New member
Cheri~
Take him to the University of Colorado emergency room immediately... That is where National Jewish national Jewish admits CF patients. By going to their ER, you will see a CF doctor from National Jewish there...
It sounds emergent to me and if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to go..
 
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JustDucky

New member
I would follow dramamama's advice, go to an ER that isn't associated with the VA (such as U of Colorado).....I too fear that he may have a blockage which is an emergency, this should be assessed immediately. They will be able to get the ball rolling as far as his CF goes. Please don't wait until Tuesday, especially if he is having the symptoms you describe.

Jenn 40 wCF
 
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JustDucky

New member
I would follow dramamama's advice, go to an ER that isn't associated with the VA (such as U of Colorado).....I too fear that he may have a blockage which is an emergency, this should be assessed immediately. They will be able to get the ball rolling as far as his CF goes. Please don't wait until Tuesday, especially if he is having the symptoms you describe.

Jenn 40 wCF
 
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cmiller

New member
I posted a few days ago and wanted to say THANK YOU to the huge outpouring of advice and kindness on this forum. National Jewish saw my brother today at the adult CF clinic. They fit him into their schedule and spent no less than 6 hours and he saw many, many doctors. It was amazing and humbling to have these folks speak to him and see the relief and HOPE in my brother. Words can't describe. They sent him home with pancreatic enzymes and that lovely golytely to cleanout the obstruction...and will see him again in 2 weeks. They did another sweat test to confirm and will get those results in a few days. Just wanted to say what a superb team of docs and nurses and so fortunate he was able to get in. Thank you to all who suggested we go there. Best, Cheri
 
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Daverog75

New member
getting to a CF centre is key like everyone has stated, but if you have to take him back to the ER you have to demand that a lung specialist looks at him.

My CF doctor told me the same thing that if I had to go to my local ER for CF related issue that I had to demand to the lung specialist. The hardest part is getting around the ER doctor a lot Doc's have ego's and think they can treat anyone you need be firm and demand to see that lung doctor.

Dave 37 w/cf
 
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