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In addition to the book being a very useful source of practical information for prospective hospital patients and their families, it is unique in its blend of humor and candor in addressing a delicate and uncomfortable topic. As a bonus, Mr. Weiss' personal story is truly inspiring and the manner in which he conveys his experiences is entertaining, funny and poignant.
ABout the Author:
Michael A. Weiss is a successful and well-respected thirty-eight year old attorney/MBA who unfortunately has been hospitalized more than fifty (50) times due in large part to his seventeen-year battle with Crohn's Disease. Crohn's Disease is an "auto-immune" and incurable illness usually causing painful inflammation in the intestines, small bowel and colon. The Disease and its complications have caused Mr. Weiss to undergo numerous abdominal surgeries, hernia surgeries, knee surgery and most recently, serious spine-fusion back surgery. The Disease's "auto-immunity" component has also caused Mr. Weiss to endure comical hospitalizations and emergency room visits for seemingly "run-of-the-mill" ailments such as indigestion, stomach viruses, colds, kidney stones, etc. His somewhat handicapped "recovery" time from these surgeries and afflictions and often-unpredictable medical reaction to prescribed treatments and medications have baffled his physicians and caused him to take the reins on his healthcare.
Mr. Weiss has experienced all of the above in different hospitals, different states, with different doctors and at various stages throughout his life. He has been exposed to interactions with the medical establishment at all levels from the medical, surgical, psychological and rehabilitation wings to the corporate boardroom of stingy managed care companies fighting (and winning!) for coverage and reimbursement. Through it all, he maintained his sense of humor and escaped with his dignity and life intact. While as a young adult he struggled with these problems, he did not let it stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming an attorney and earning a MBA degree. So, while his account of the hospital patient experience is informative and funny, it is also inspirational for patients and their family members. Mr. Weiss hopes his story can also help develop a guide for hospitals and health care workers as to how it and they should carry out their respective responsibilities.
| Introduction: Why Should You Read This Book? | 1 | |
| How to Use This Book | 2 | |
| Chapter Set-Up | 3 | |
| The Style | 4 | |
| Who Am I? | 5 | |
| Why I Wrote This Book | 7 | |
| Chapter 1 | Pre-Admission Preparation: Practical And Emotional Preparation For The Hospital Stay | 9 |
| Purchase a Computer | 10 | |
| Organization is the Key | 11 | |
| Wills, Living Wills And Powers of Attorney | 12 | |
| Get Your Game Face Ready | 15 | |
| Create a Support System | 15 | |
| Bring Your Sense of Humor | 16 | |
| Packing the Essentials | 18 | |
| Chapter 2 | A Typical Day In The Hospital: Welcome To Club Med? Adjusting To Hospital Routine, Schedule And Atmosphere | 24 |
| "Interns," "Residents" and "Attendings" | 25 | |
| "Rounds" | 26 | |
| Pain Management | 27 | |
| Breakfast??? | 28 | |
| Routine Nursing Visits | 29 | |
| Lunch | 30 | |
| Making Friends | 31 | |
| Second Rounds | 31 | |
| The Late Afternoon | 32 | |
| Dinner | 34 | |
| The Late Shift | 35 | |
| Chapter 3 | Nurses: The Good, The Dedicated And The Foley Catheter | 36 |
| Respect Your Nurse | 39 | |
| The Importance of Physician-Nurse-Patient Communication | 40 | |
| Men: Read This | 41 | |
| Nursing Shifts | 44 | |
| Private Nurses | 45 | |
| Chapter 4 | Physicians: Just Remember They Are Human Because They Sometimes Forget | 47 |
| Thank You Letter | 47 | |
| Fighting Back Letter | 48 | |
| Business Letter | 51 | |
| Managed Care - What Is It? | 55 | |
| A Typical Managed Care Physician | 57 | |
| Tell Them Where It Hurts | 58 | |
| Ask Questions | 59 | |
| Dealing With Pain | 60 | |
| Get To Know Your Physician Team | 61 | |
| Bedside Manner of Covering Physicians | 61 | |
| Bedside Manner - Parents Take Note | 62 | |
| Give Doctors The Benefit of The Doubt? | 66 | |
| Follow-Up/Aftercare | 68 | |
| Pay Your Doctor Bills | 71 | |
| Chapter 5 | Reaching Out: Interacting With Family, Friends And Business Associates | 72 |
| The Importance Of Avoiding Self-Pity | 73 | |
| The Vulnerability Of Too Much Information | 74 | |
| The Benefits Of Frequent Hospitalizations | 75 | |
| Telephone Etiquette | 76 | |
| Visitors | 77 | |
| Chapter 6 | Dealing With The Inside World: Roommates, Privacy And Creating A Comfortable Environment | 80 |
| Privacy | 80 | |
| Toilets | 81 | |
| Bathing | 81 | |
| Roommates | 82 | |
| Dealing With Death | 84 | |
| Orderlies | 85 | |
| Chapter 7 | The Emergency Room | 87 |
| Tips On Getting Treated | 87 | |
| When All Else Fails, Vomit! | 90 | |
| Listen To Your Body | 90 | |
| Call Your Physician Before Arriving | 93 | |
| An Abberation: My One Truly Horrible Experience | 94 | |
| Chapter 8 | Bouncin' Back: Physical Rehabilitation, Handling Setbacks And Getting Off Narcotics | 98 |
| When Your Mind Makes Promises Your Body Can't Keep | 99 | |
| The First Step To Recuperation Is Psychological | 99 | |
| The Next Step Might Take A While | 100 | |
| Don't Lose Your Head | 102 | |
| Be Resourceful | 104 | |
| There's No Drug Problem - They're Easy To Get! | 105 | |
| It's All Relative | 108 | |
| Chapter 9 | Appealing Managed Care Coverage Decisions: Damn The Torpedos | 110 |
| When The Balance Of Power Shifts | 111 | |
| The Rejected Discograms | 112 | |
| "Reasonable & Customary" | 113 | |
| Get Proof That You Followed, or Tried To Follow, All Required Network and Referral Rules | 114 | |
| Evaluating The Cost Of Going "Out-Of-Network" | 115 | |
| Preparing For Battle | 116 | |
| A Stop-Gap Measure | 117 | |
| Damn The Torpedoes | 118 | |
| The Grievance Appeal Hearing | 118 | |
| My Presentation | 120 | |
| Get A Lawyer | 121 | |
| What Can You Do? | 122 | |
| Chapter 10 | For What It's Worth: Humble Suggestions | 124 |
| Create A More Patient-Friendly Atmosphere | 124 | |
| Become More Familiar With The Patient Experience | 125 | |
| Emphasize Patient "Care" Over Patient "Cost" | 126 | |
| Satisfied Patients Should Be The Standard | 127 | |
| Implement Innovative Sleepover Programs | 127 | |
| Promote Normalcy - Utilize Celebrities | 129 | |
| Acknowledgements | 131 | |
| Appendix A | Sample Living Will (referenced in Chapter 1) | 137 |
| Appendix B | Sample General Durable Power Of Attorney (referenced in Chapter 1) | 150 |
| Appendix C | Managed Care Appeal Chronological Correspondence (referenced in Chapter 9) | 158 |
Anonymous
Posted February 15, 2002
For most of us, it takes little more than the mention of the phrase, 'hospital stay,' to set off a chain reaction of fear, anxiety and helplessness. Michael A. Weiss offers a perfect 'how-to' survival guide cleverly disguised as a funny and often poignant memoir of a most amazing and inspiring battle against chronic illness and pain. Drawing from personal experience, Mr. Weiss prepares the reader for virtually every situation that a patient will encounter during a hospital stay. 'Confessions of a Professional Hospital Patient,' should be required reading not only for soon-to-be-patients, but for the medical professionals in whom they are about to place their trust.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 17, 2001
I've had Colitis for years and have spent way too much time in hospitals and doctors' offices. I'm always looking for a different 'spin' on things to help me make sense of it all. I took a chance with this book and this was by far the most accurate and comforting depiction of the difficulties associated with being chronically ill. The book is so personal to Mr. Weiss yet he 'nails' the experience, feelings, funny stories, etc. I give him a lot of credit for developing his coping skills and I'm even more amazed that he choose to share them with the world!!! The book is also hysterical at times!!! What more could you want? I really enjoyed it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 16, 2001
This book is written loosely as a 'guide' type of book yet it is extremely amusing and entertaining! Who would have thought that somebody could communicate such a subject matter and difficult experiences in such a funny and comforting way? This is the reason I recommend this great reading experience not only to the patients (which I am a not) but also to their close friends and families (of which I am).
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Posted March 11, 2001
This is truly a funny yet very informative book about hospitals, and the medical community surrounding it. Having had many experiences with hospitalizations, i now know what to buy for someone who is planning on a medical procedure; then again it's appropriate for anyone- since everyone knows someone who has or will be hospitalized.
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