Home › Forums › West Seattle Rants & Raves › rave: harborview?
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April 29, 2012 at 7:40 am #603061
douglasMemberyes, Harborview. I had recently requested to go to swedish/v.Mason, from SW, west seattle, but was taken to Harborview instead.(trauma reason i guess) and seriously was impressed with the friendly caring staff in the ER., late THR. early Friday a.m.. not the fanciest of waiting rooms. (i only saw on the way OUT) but the nursing staff was great.(thank you. Efficient, but seeming to care about me as a person, rather than baggage to be shuffled about. Far better experience than highline, even if i was in far worse condition initially. though im sure the bill will be just as frightening as anywhere else!
April 29, 2012 at 8:24 am #756896
JanSParticipantI have been through the ER at Harborview…and once upon a time spent 5 weeks there as a patient. I had the best of care…they brought me back from almost death, and will always sing their praises. It’s a teaching hospital…wonderful care…
April 29, 2012 at 4:16 pm #756897
angelescrestParticipantI’ve always been in awe of Harborview. There’s a splendid book about the hospital by Dr. Audrey Young, “House of Hope and Fear: Life in a Big City Hospital”. I couldn’t put it down. It should be part of Seattle reading.
April 29, 2012 at 4:26 pm #756898
JoBParticipanti have heard the Harborview horror stories..
but what i have observed taking people to the ER and to their appointments is the kind of caring that literally saves lives…
April 29, 2012 at 4:53 pm #756899
cjboffoliParticipantHarborview is a “Level-1” trauma center so they really are the best choice when it comes to serious accidents and traumatic injuries. Not only do they have the choppers to pick you up and whisk you away if something horrible happens, but they have all manner of specialist surgeons (vascular, orthopedic, etc.) available 24/7. For traumatic injuries you could do a lot worse.
April 29, 2012 at 5:21 pm #756900
IrukandjiParticipantHaving both volunteered and worked at HMC, I remain in awe of the nursing staff there, whether in the ED or in one of the many ICUs. They are some of the smartest, most caring, efficient and funny people I’ve had the chance to know and learn from. If there is any chance that a life can be saved post-trauma, trust Harborview to do that magic.
April 29, 2012 at 6:49 pm #756901
JiggersMemberIt’s good to hear that Harborview has a good ER compared to were I go.I have been going to Virginia Mason for over 15 years. All of my Doctors are at V.M. I have never been to any other hospital except UW to get surgery back in 1997 for my knee. My latest experience with ER at V.M. was the worst I have ever received.I have a permanent disability and get infusions done at V.M’s Oncology every two weeks. My treatment isn’t a cure. I have never produce natural anti-bodies my whole life and can get sick on a dime. Recently, my normal cough was getting worse and I thought I was coming down with pneumonia again. That’s pretty common for me. Anyways, the difference with this symptom was that I had was experiencing trouble breathing. Last Saturday, I was pretty wiped out because I labored all night with cough and breathing issues. I decided to get myself looked at at V.M. reaching ER with shallow breathing It took about 30 minutes before they took my vitals. My oxygen level read 93 which is not to bad. I am well rested by now and they took me in examined me, and I was discharged with anti-biotic pills after xrays revealed I have Plueral Effusion. Overnight, I got worse as the next day Sunday, I went back to ER with the same issue. They knew I had low oxygen levels examined me again and sent me out with cough sryup since I was coughing worse. Next day, Monday, I had a real bad time breathing and was at C and P for awhile feeling nautious and ready to pass out. I forced myself to get on the bus and made it to ER once again. This time they gave me a vicodin pill. Tuseday came around and I barely reached the bustop gasping for air and blacked out for a split-second. I made it into downtown and up to the hospital and went straight to my Doctor on the 8th floor.I was ready to pass out as his nurse checked my vitals and couldn’t believe how low my oxygen was. He was busy with other patients and he said send him to ER. I laughed and told her that’s were I have been trying to get seen at. My Dr’s last patient of the day was a no-show. He took me in and gave me a walk round the floor test while monitoring me. He told me enough and lets get back to the room. He said to me you aren’t going anywhere. It’s up to me to be admitted. I said I was trying to do that for the last three days. He bypassed ER and went straight to a room. I have been here ever since Tuesday dignosed with several things from blood clots in my lungs to pneumonia. I am still trying to recover as I type and don’t know how long I will be here. Now there’s a real nightmare ER story for you. It is not the first time that I have been to V.M’s ER. They know me and my history. I have a horrible disease that is killing me. Don’t know when I’ll recover.
April 29, 2012 at 7:09 pm #756902
angelescrestParticipantJiggers,
Cannot ignore your post. It makes me feel awful; if it helps, we’ve had the same thing happen a few times…the ER back and forth with the child who has her own horrible disorder.
If you want company, I can swing by after work–I have a sliver of time each day between 1:30-2:30. I can share my Hawaiian tales.
Lemme know–everyone is rooting for you.
angelescrestk at gmail dot com
April 29, 2012 at 7:29 pm #756903
miwsParticipantJiggers, hang in there, buddy. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts.
As far as Harborview goes, I don’t have time to go into great detail right now, but they have been absolutely wonderful to me in the last five months I’ve been dealing with them.
Why, I like them so dang much, I’m going up there for a colonoscopy Tuesday!
Seriously, though, many of you know of my current situation; becoming homeless nearly a year ago, moving into Nickelsville for over 6 months, getting pneumonia around Thanksgiving, (my first visit to H’view’s ED) and now in transitional housing, and continuing visits to H’view for various things.
I suppose just about any of the staff I’ve dealt with, could derive from my chart, what my situation has been. To a person, they have all treated me with dignity and respect, and many, including my Student Provider, have gone above and beyond.
My SP is graduating, and will be moving on to another Seattle Medical Facility, so I have my last appt with her Tuesday evening. I’ll miss her terribly, but wish her the best of luck.
Mike
April 30, 2012 at 3:03 pm #756904
JoBParticipantjiggers..
this could be the time that makes a difference..
i know. you think it won’t be
but it could
get better
we’d miss you
April 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm #756905
JiggersMemberI have got worse over the week. They took me off the anti biotics and now I am battling three different kinds of indefctions in my lungs along with blood clotting. They are discussing that surgery may be the next step. I am still coughing up blood and I have a big hematoma were they gave me thoracentisis procedure. It is very painful. I can’t sleep and even sit normally. I lost any appettite that had. It maybe a long stay now. This is the first time I have multiple infections in my upper respritory system. Study Common Variable Immuno Deficiency if you care to understnd how rare my disease is. That’s just the tip of the chronic health conditions I got. They are all related. No cancer yet. Mike I am happy you are doing better. I have been on the streets for almost three years now dude. I know that you are thankful. Maybe you can stop bye znd visit me when you can at the hospital.I will be here for awhile.
April 30, 2012 at 7:18 pm #756906
miwsParticipantJiggers, I was just going to mention that I’d like to visit you. Is it okay if JoB e-mails me your name?
It likely won’t be until Thursday, though.
I have the colonoscopy tomorrow, and am prepping for it today. (So definitely ain’t going out and about today!)
I’ll be back at my transitional location on Wednesday, but will have a couple of things to catch up on, once I get back.
Mike
April 30, 2012 at 10:22 pm #756907
JiggersMemberMike.. I am having surgery myself tomorrow. It is high risk for me because of my low blood levels but there’s no other option. I am getting a tube placed in my chest to see if it will help relieve fluid form my lungs. Go-Lightly>>>>>Colonoscopy is not fun and the prep work is even worse. Good luck.
April 30, 2012 at 10:29 pm #756908
DBPMemberApril 30, 2012 at 11:14 pm #756909
JiggersMemberDBP..Virginia Mason room 1678. Don’t know when surgery will be yet.
May 1, 2012 at 12:07 am #756910
miwsParticipantMay 1, 2012 at 1:07 am #756911
DBPMemberMay 2, 2012 at 2:57 pm #756912
JiggersMemberMike.. I couldn’t get my procedure done. I have very low blood levels. I am experiencing more pain now. We’ll see what today brings.
May 2, 2012 at 3:46 pm #756913
JoBParticipantMay 2, 2012 at 3:55 pm #756914
casabobaMemberMr. J, How’s the chow?
May 2, 2012 at 3:58 pm #756915
miwsParticipantDamn. Hang in there Jiggers.
I still plan on coming up tomorrow, (Thurs) to see you.
And I echo what JoB says…
Mike
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