UT Hospital (Knoxville: insurance, job, hospitals)

[gemkeeper]

It seems there are shortages in staff everywhere you look, insanesmooch. I wouldn't be too hard on the nursing staff.

I think most of them wish they could spend more time with patients, but they are so over-worked and under staffed that they are probably doing the best they can. I have 2 sisters-in-law and my own sister who are nurses and they work long hours and have way too many patients per nurse. They depend so much on LPNs and aides for help.

Thank goodness for the support staff and relatives that can help out. I am so glad that you are well and about again.

[luvmyanimals]

Thanks everyone for the prayers...I have never known such a great group of people. I would like to say a very special thank you to SmokyMtnGal, it was very nice meeting you yesterday. I know I must have been half out of it I thought you were bringing me news about my sister, that's why at first I acted like I was crazy. I must say I had you pictured so different, not that I had you pictured bad. You are beautiful, I thought my gosh she could be a model. You were so kind and thoughtful to find me. Your thoughtfulness will always be remembered. I wish I had good news to report about my sister but I don't yet. The doctor decided against surgery due to finding another tumor and he fears it may have spread throughout the body. He is doing a complete scan and then on tuesday they will discuss options and perform surgery next week sometime. I have to say the nurses and staff at UT during the outpatient were outstanding. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people. I had to take my sister to the ER on Wednesday night and I didnt' have a good experience, so I had been nervous, but I had no reason to be. The group she had were so sweet and kind, the nurse even came up to me afterwards when I was leaving and said I am so sorry about your sister, I wish you all the best.
I am so tired, have been trying to move my stuff from Sevierville to Greenback. I can't wait to get moved and just sit back and enjoy. I am going to take care of my sister and watch my mom she is going to be 81 in February, God love her she can't remember at times who I am.
God Bless everyone and thank you again for the prayers, you guys make coming on here worthwhile, it's a great outlet for me to talk to people.

[gemkeeper]

Luvmyanimals, I am so sorry to hear that the doctors think the cancer may have spread elsewhere. I will continue to keep you and your sister, as well as your mom, in my thoughts and prayers.

This is a very difficult time for all of you and my heart goes out to you all.

SmokyMtnGal is well known for her kindness to those on this forum. It is not surprising that she was there to help you cope with your distress.

You can count on all of us, I'm sure, to be thinking of you and praying for your sister's well-being.

[SmokyMtnGal]

Originally Posted by luvmyanimals

Thanks everyone for the prayers...I have never known such a great group of people. I would like to say a very special thank you to SmokyMtnGal, it was very nice meeting you yesterday. I know I must have been half out of it I thought you were bringing me news about my sister, that's why at first I acted like I was crazy. I must say I had you pictured so different, not that I had you pictured bad. You are beautiful, I thought my gosh she could be a model. You were so kind and thoughtful to find me. Your thoughtfulness will always be remembered. I wish I had good news to report about my sister but I don't yet. The doctor decided against surgery due to finding another tumor and he fears it may have spread throughout the body. He is doing a complete scan and then on tuesday they will discuss options and perform surgery next week sometime. I have to say the nurses and staff at UT during the outpatient were outstanding. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people. I had to take my sister to the ER on Wednesday night and I didnt' have a good experience, so I had been nervous, but I had no reason to be. The group she had were so sweet and kind, the nurse even came up to me afterwards when I was leaving and said I am so sorry about your sister, I wish you all the best.
I am so tired, have been trying to move my stuff from Sevierville to Greenback. I can't wait to get moved and just sit back and enjoy. I am going to take care of my sister and watch my mom she is going to be 81 in February, God love her she can't remember at times who I am.
God Bless everyone and thank you again for the prayers, you guys make coming on here worthwhile, it's a great outlet for me to talk to people.

{{{{{Luv, Luv's sister and family}}}}} It was my pleasure to meet you. I am so sorry that the news was not what you wanted to hear. I will see you on Tuesday. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[VeritasMatters]

Hi Luv -- been checking this daily since Friday to see if there was news about your sister. I'm so sorry that you and she have had what sound like several rough days. How precious that SmokyMtnGal came to see you...some kind of gal, that one. Looks like you have some difficult days ahead. Hopefully, you will lean on all the support the Lord graciously surrounds you, your sister and family with...will keep you in my prayers.

[PaganEgyptian]

Well, UT hospital is the only hospital in the region with a Level 1 Trauma Unit. Which is a big deal. They have two helicopter medivac units of their own. You wont get much better than them around here.

[bigthirsty]

When I was at UT I came down with spinal meningitis.. the viral kind.. the hospital was great.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by bigthirsty

When I was at UT I came down with spinal meningitis.. the viral kind.. the hospital was great.

Bigthirsty, I hope you mean that when you were a student at UT you came down with spinal meningitis - and were rushed to UT Medical Center and received excellent care!

So glad that you recovered healthy and well after your stay at UT Medical Center. (Just wanted to clear up any confusion. Hope you don't mind, bigthirsty.)

[bigthirsty]

Originally Posted by gemthornton

Bigthirsty, I hope you mean that when you were a student at UT you came down with spinal meningitis - and were rushed to UT Medical Center and received excellent care!

So glad that you recovered healthy and well after your stay at UT Medical Center. (Just wanted to clear up any confusion. Hope you don't mind, bigthirsty.)

Yes.. while I was a student at UT I came down with spinal meningitis. I went to the UT med ctr ER with a severe headache. a spinal tap later and I was diagnosed..

[luvmyanimals]

Well, the nurse called yesterday and said the biospy was cancer but wouldn't given any more details. I am taking her into his office on monday morning, he wants to go over everything. He has already schduled surgery for wednesday but this time it will be at St Mary's Hospital, they couldn't get her into UT, for 2 weeks. As soon as I know more I will post it and once again thank you all for the prayers, right now I am just numb. My sister is very quite and not saying much, she's still in alot of pain. I pray things will be over soon, I am joining a cancer support group on monday night in Blount County to help patients and their family. I will be her main caretaker, and also take care of my mom. God Bless you all...