didnt know what COPD was

[bear53]

I recently went and had kidney surgury,and almost died on the table after waking up!! with the nurse slapping my face telling me to breath and wake up saying why the hell didnt you tell us you had COPD,to my awaking I said what the hell you  talking about well V>A>hospital had you had it  in 1987,I spent 11 yrs in the Marines,and I would like to know in 6 yrs being out could i have gotten it from that time frame tobe this threating ,they told me to make a living wil that I also have Heart problems due to copd.

[bear53]

Bear53 here I want to thank the National Jewish RN-DC For the information,and Linasj,ad Bubjonkay for I will tell my so called Doc I want the test ran,by the way I never smoked a day in my life,bear53

[bubjonkay]

I agree with you about he VA hospitals not fit for a dog.. I am sure that there may be some that are fit to go to, But the ones around me from what I have seen with my father are not really exceptable... He is set in his ways and feels that this is where he wants to go since insurance is not availble to him.  I have been in nursing for 15+ years and the one where my father goes, well to say the least I have begged him to change.  During real emergencys I take him to the closest hopstial.  So I do agree with you.   They should treat them better.  

[lindasj]

They should have did a PFT befor they preformed surgery as pre surgery testing. Most VA hospitals aren't good enough to take a dog to. Also the manner of the nurse as you were expaining as slapping you and asking you why the hell you didn't tell them you had COPD was not proffesional, it is their job to find that out if you  had it , You should have had a pre surgery workup to screen for possible problems that might present complications during surgery. I would find out who to complain to. Private Hospitals would test for fear of being sued. It is a damvn shame the government runs subpar medical treatment for those who have served in the service
Lindasj

[National Jewish Health]

If you truly have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it should have been apparent to your doctors on examination.  It is possible that the COPD had been coming-on, when you were in the Marines but you were unaware of it.  It is possible that it only became clinically significant during the 6 years you've been out.  Maybe you did or maybe you didn't have it in 1987 or maybe you had a mild case of it then.

What you must do now is to see your doctor for an examination, which includes pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and a chest x-ray to clarify your diagnosis.  If you have it and smoke cigarettes, you should quit immediately.  If you have it you should be treated with medicines for it.  You should also ask your doctor to either confirm that you have heart problems, or refer you to a lung specialist or a heart specialist for evaluation.

[harlan]

A related discussion, home care was started.

[SkinnyGary]

Apparently you have never been treated at a VA center.