Saturday, December 22, 2007

No one is excuse... this could also happen to you

Just want to share the recent experience in the hospital that I never thought would happen to me.

My admission at Emergency Room was triggered by the increase in my serum creatinine of 1.2 to 1.6 and a repeat crea a week later of 2.3. My regular physician was on leave at that time, so someone relieved for his post. Initially, he calls it as a sign of rejection but not quite sure what's the cause, no complications and other symptoms physically present except for creatinine results. So he admitted me first at Emergency Room and call up another doctor who will attend to me. Tests have been done, except for renal graft biopsy of my new kidney, because there's no available biopsy room yet. After seeing the results okay (except creatinine that decreased a bit from 2.3 to 2.0) the doctor said, must be on toxicity of medicines. So I was discharged the following day and just instructed me to have a repeat serum creatinine test, make a follow-up after 2 days and reduced the dosage of one of my medicines.

I went back after 2 days for check up with my regular nephro, but still creatinine level is at 2.1. He reviewed previous instruction and scheduled me for the biopsy and arranged a room for me. The following day the biopsy was done and results was available in the afternoon. Another nephro who is monitoring my condition (I think a fellow of my regular nephro) discussed the results with us. It was actually a bad news because according to him that the kidney that I've got from my donor is defective, so it's a chronic rejection already. In months time I'll have to go on dialysis again and probably have new kidney transplantation. Mom and I just looking at each other and while the doctor kept on explaining, I am just quiet and was tongue tied at that moment. I keep myself compose and at the back of my mind questions arises. Like, how did it happen when the donor undergo rigid tests and work up? If chronic already, why did they accept it? I told to myself that I will never undergo dialysis again, I can fight it 7-10 years more (full of spirit) and if it is faith then let it be. What I worry much is my brother, who lost his kidney for me because his just starting to have his own family. When the doctor left out, mom and I discussed what should be done in the future, no plans for dialysis and another implant. I also texted and called my regular nephrologists, explaining the result and requested him to visit me after or before his clinic. He responded and paid visit and ask me what's your problem, smile and said its nothing, the diagnosis is just a slight rejection which can be done to pulsing to normalize the creatinine level. He gives his assurance and explain that he already communicated with the doctor and the laboratory department. In short, there was a mistake that arises from the laboratory, the results that was forwarded and read was not my biopsy. My mom who almost felt like dying due to stress and depression has regained herself and felt relieved. We'll get back with the other doctor mom said.

The following day, the doctor who read the wrong results immediately admitted thier fault and very apologetic with what happen, mom explains its okay we understand, however this will not be the case always, as to some families and patients you'll get different reaction. Hopefully this will be a lesson and we should be very careful next time and coordinated properly. Because it's important that we are considerate on the feelings of the patient and families as they are also undergoing depression and anxiety ( very well said mom).

I know that there a lot of worse cases that has been featured in news and depicted in some TV soap operas and movies compared to my experience. Who would think that I will personally experience such thing in the hospital? Medical practitioners are human too, but what if it takes life.. How will you react? Luckily mine was just an accidental switching of laboratory results and was coordinated at once with my regular nephrologists.

No one is excuse... this could also happen to you.