Are you a good patient when ill?

chic

chic

SF VIP
Location
U.S.
I'm curious because a family member has been ill and needy and is so demanding and inconsiderate of others' lives that I left and hardly call anymore because everytime I do, I get a list of things to do whether I have the time the not. :( It's hard for me to grasp this mentality because I am the opposite when ill, pretty much. I glady accept help if and when I need it and it is freely offered but never ask for it. What do you think? It does matter. Maybe it's just me? :unsure:
 

So far, I've always been able to look after myself when ill. At least when I was at home.

I'm not a "good patient" when it comes to following doctor's orders, because I can't afford the prescription or couldn't take the time off work, etc.

If I were really ill, I don't think I'd be very demanding. I've been in a bad way in hospital and the nurses were nasty or ignored me, so it's just something to accept.
 
NorthernLight said:
So far, I've always been able to look after myself when ill. At least when I was at home.

I'm not a "good patient" when it comes to following doctor's orders, because I can't afford the prescription or couldn't take the time off work, etc.

If I were really ill, I don't think I'd be very demanding. I've been in a bad way in hospital and the nurses were nasty or ignored me, so it's just something to accept.
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you need to live here .. prescriptions are free..
 
I'm totally with you chic. I was even told by a dentist I was a good patient. I was fine having local with my carpal tunnel surgery and did fine with the multiple injections in my hand. The surgeon told me when we discussed the surgery that some can't tolerate it and have to be sedated at the surgery center. I was thrilled I could drive myself to and from the surgery. I have a decent tolerance to physical pain. Emotional and mental pain, not so much.

I also watched my mother since I was a child complain about health problems she didn't have. Lied when I was an adult that she had a heart attack. Manipulate for attention. Tell me she was going to die soon when I was a child. No wonder I suck it up when physically sick and take care of myself.

Ignore this family member. Believe me, I know, they just want to suck you dry and you can't give them enough.
 
I am a decent patient when ill. I do though prefer alone time if I am ill, say
with the flu, or some other common illness. If though I needed help for a
more significant illness or setback then I accept help, still though reasonably
ok patient, I am quiet and don't talk a lot when I/m not feeling well. Just leave
me alone, type patient lol
 
Ten years working for Metro Toronto Ambulance ( the only Ambulance service in Canada's largest city ) taught me what to do, as a patient. My wife maintains a computer spread sheet that lists every medication I take, including the name, dosage, and what time of the day I take it. It also contains the names of all my Doctors, what they are treating me for, and their contact phone numbers and E mail addresses, plus what medical conditions I have, such as allergies, and co morbidities.

I know my height, and weight in metric measurements, and what my normal BP and heart rate should be, and what surgical procedures I have had in the past, and the date and the hospital where the procedure was done, and by whom. I know what signs and symptoms are important and not to be ignored. I can read a cardiac monitor, and listen to my own heart , and measure my own BP on my home cuff. In other words I take an active interest in my own health. I also ask questions of all my Doctors, based on my own medical training and experience in the past.

I always ask the staff about what procedure I am about to be involved in, and the nature of the test or evaluation, and of course it is standard procedure here in Canada , to ASK each patient their full name and date of birth, EACH time they interact with Nurses Doctors or technicians, to be sure the patient is the right person, to avoid mix ups. Simple, but very important none the less. JimB.
 
That is one thing I am happy about these days. If I am sick I can have medications and groceries delivered. Even when I was younger I hated to have to ask anyone to go the drugstore and grocery for me.

Sometimes it can't be helped if you have tests or surgery. I am blessed to have a son that steps in when needed.
 
Blessed said:
That is one thing I am happy about these days. If I am sick I can have medications and groceries delivered. Even when I was younger I hated to have to ask anyone to go the drugstore and grocery for me.
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I'm alone and I do hope the deliveries from groceries will continue. I might hope I will never need it but it's good to know it's available if the need is there.
 
I am a good patient when I am ill, I like peace and quiet. Sometimes in the past I have felt so bad, that when I laid down in bed, I thought it was going to be my last. I will think to myself that I do not care if I live or die.
 
Lawrence said:
I am a good patient when I am ill, I like peace and quiet. Sometimes in the past I have felt so bad, that when I laid down in bed, I thought it was going to be my last. I will think to myself that I do not care if I live or die.
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I think many of us have been through that. :(
 
Remy said:
I'm alone and I do hope the deliveries from groceries will continue. I might hope I will never need it but it's good to know it's available if the need is there.
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Same here, @Remy. I haven't needed it for myself yet, but used it for my mother.

After my mom could no longer drive, but before she moved to AL, I was still working full time. On rare occasions I just couldn't get to the grocery store, then drive to her house, unpack the groceries, and put them away for her.

A local chain offered reasonable delivery fees (something like $5 or $10). I could order during a spare moment, set up a delivery time, and tell mom and her retired neighbor the schedule. Mom would call the neighbor as soon as the truck arrived. The neighbor would come over, put away the groceries and have a cup of tea with Mom.

I mostly did Mom's shopping, but when I was in a severe time crunch or out of town, grocery deliveries were a godsend.
 
StarSong said:
Same here, @Remy. I haven't needed it for myself yet, but used it for my mother.

After my mom could no longer drive, but before she moved to AL, I was still working full time. On rare occasions I just couldn't get to the grocery store, then drive to her house, unpack the groceries, and put them away for her.

A local chain offered reasonable delivery fees (something like $5 or $10). I could order during a spare moment, set up a delivery time, and tell mom and her retired neighbor the schedule. Mom would call the neighbor as soon as the truck arrived. The neighbor would come over, put away the groceries and have a cup of tea with Mom.

I mostly did Mom's shopping, but when I was in a severe time crunch or out of town, grocery deliveries were a godsend.
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I don't know if your mom is still living but if any senior needs food and cannot get out and does not have family to step in and help your local community may have a senior/elder care service which provides intake programs to help at minimal cost. No one needs to be alone in this.
 

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