Posted by Del on 12/17/09

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Hi there, I am starting to look at my options in regard
to whether I possibly have a malpractice case in the
situation that happened to me almost two months ago.

I was on vacation and ended up with an absess (it may
have been a spider bite) that within 24 hours resulted in
me going to an ER. I was vomiting and so dizzy I could not
walk so I had to use a wheel chair---as well as had a high
fever that was causing cold shakes. Upon getting my vitals
two different blood pressure machines kept releasing
without getting readings on me and the nurse said, " we
will have to go manual on you"----but they never did (
meaning they never got my bp reading).

There were two doctors who attended me and they ended
up lancing the area. They acted like all was fine then,
that I would just need to go to a doctor the day after
next when I got home to have packing removed and for
follow-up care. I had continued to vomit and after the
procedure told a doctor I was too dizzy and nauseous to
get up yet, to which he replied they would start some IV
fluids for me---again, they never did. A nurse came in
with a first dose of anti-biotic pills I expressed concern
in keeping down, and release papers. I trusted them that I
was okay without an iv etc... but vomited the pills not
long-after. Everything was witnessed by a friend who was
with me.
I continued to be dizzy, and blacked-out when I stood
up out of the car when we got to the resort and had to be
half-carried ( it was the middle of the night). The next
day I could not fly home...I could not keep any fluids
down, was extremely dizzy and even had blurred vision
etc.. we stayed thinking if I could keep fluids or pills
down I would be okay, but I just got worse.

I ended up going to a second hospital/ er that DID get
my blood pressure, and it was dangerously low ( like 60
over 49). I was severely dehydrated, had a white blood
cell count of 35, kidneys were shutting down etc...
things that could have been prevented likely if the first
hospital had gotten my bp reading and simply hydrated me.
The infection also spread due to the conditions and not
being able to keep down the antibiotics, and progressed to
the point that I needed surgery. A large amount of tissue
had to be removed and resulted in a deep/ large open
surgical wound that was/ is extremely painful. I spent a
week in the hospital and a family member had to fly out to
escprt me home---that day of travel was beyond a nightmare.

I now am facing over 30k in medical bills, have a wound
that is still open and painful etc..on-going medical care.
I lost a month of work, had to live with family for
several weeks etc..

This may not be an incident of a sponge being left in
someone, but it just seems that a couple little "big"
mistakes were made that could have prevented my needing
surgery and getting so dangerously sick as I did.

Any clue if I have a case....if this will be something
hard to proove etc..?

Thank you, I just am really overwhelmed right now by
everything and the constant stream of incoming bills.

ER Malpractice?, 12/17/09, by Del.

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