My Crazy Morning(long rant)

14 years ago

I have kidney failure and get dialysis thee mornings a week at 5 am. . We had 14 inches of snow yesterday, and I last shovelled about 3 pm yesterday. I woke at four am to find my car covered with snow in the driveway and my driveway plowed in by the very kind snowplow driver. I tried to warm it up but time was passing. Went inside, phoned three taxi companies, plus an ambulette service. All closed or refused to come out in the bad weather. So I remembered someone at the hospital telling me to call the Fire Dept. I did not call 911. I called a direct line to my local volunteer FD. He took my info and said he'd send an ambulance to transport me to the hospital. A police car showed up first, when he saw I could move around and walk, he told me, go shovel your car out, I'm not taking you. Five minutes later the ambulance came, the two EMTs also told me "This is not an emergency. Don't call us again". But they grudgingly game me a ride. They left me at the Emergency Entrance of the hospital, not anywhere near the Dialysis Unit. I found my way to Dialysis, they told me I did the right thing, this is an emergency in their opinion. So I had my treatment. Time to go home, at 9 am I called 2 taxi companies, the second said he would send a car in 45 minutes. Went to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee, then waited and the cab finally showed up. Gratefiul for the ride home, I gave the driver $20 for a $12 fare. Now I'm home and I still have to dig out that silly car in my driveway. I'm gonna take it easy and start to dig out at noon. Hope your morning is better than mine!

Comments (17)

gadgets
14 years ago
"A police car showed up first, when he saw I could move around and walk, he told me, go shovel your car out, I'm not taking you." Jannie, I can move around and even walk short distances, but that doesn't mean I could walk around AND dig out my car, etc, to be able to drive. I'm sorry you had such a difficult time.

Shirley
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
14 years ago
I too am sorry you had such a time trying to get to your dialysis. I'd guess those who refused or reluctant to help must not understand the importance of dialysis. It sounds like a lack of communications somewhere that they didn't understand things.

Maybe the next time someone from the dialysis center could get something set up for you.

(((HUGS)))

Sue
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monica_pa Grieves
14 years ago
Write a complaint letter to the chief of police and your mayor.

This is irresponsible.
sjerin
14 years ago
I agree with Monica! (Which is funny to me because on Hot Topics, I rarely do. :) ) Dialysis IS life-saving and expecting you to dig yourself out is ridiculous. I think this was a case of ignorance that needs to be addressed, as Monica suggests.
alisande
14 years ago
Jannie, that's awful! I hope no one ever tells me to shovel out my own car.....I doubt I could do it. I hope you get to relax now that you're back home.
moonie_57 (8 NC)
14 years ago
I agree with Monica, too. How stressful that all must have been for you!
Georgysmom
14 years ago
Monica said what I was about to say...that police officer needs to be reported. If the police department needs to be educated on this subject they should call the dialysis center. It's not like you didn't try to get their on your own accord.
heather_on
14 years ago
I'm sorry this happened to you. Dialysis is so important which obviously the policeman did not understand. It could lead to an emergency if you didn't get it. I agree with Monica on this one. This should have been an exception to their standard rule since you are in the midst of being pummelled with snow. Lots of people call ambulances for less reasons than yours. You tried all of the logical ways first. I do agree that it was not a 911 call.
jannie
Original Author
14 years ago
I'm calmed down now, I've been home for a few hours. Definitely will complain to the Police Dept about how I was treated. I didn't ask the officer's name but I do have his cruiser number. And I'm sticking by my guns, it was an emergency to me.
pattico_gw
14 years ago
Wow...sorry you had such a morning.

I agree with the rest of the replies...

They need to be made aware of the emergency of the situation.

Please let us know what they have to say when you call...

patti
trinitytx
14 years ago
Yes, that officer needs to be reported. That is just terrible what he said to you. Plus he was already there, why couldn't he give you a lift? That really ticks me off.
I hope the rest of your day is warm and easy.

Trin
alexis717_df
14 years ago
I agree with Monica too. I would call and speak with his supervisor. Depending on his attitude, a letter to the editor of your local paper may be in order. That was outrageous.

Alexis
Linda Wayman
14 years ago
Jannie, that's awful. I'm glad you are reporting it. I hope you report ot to the mayor as well or the city council. Someone in authority needs to make sure those morons get educated about such matters.
linda_in_iowa
14 years ago
I would definitely call the police chief.
patti43
14 years ago
I've been thinking about you and worrying if you and others here who have to have dialysis or chemo are able to get to the hospital. I'm glad you finally got your treatment but for the life of me I can't understand the cruelty of that police officer. Report it right now! And while you have them on the phone ask if they know of a service that will take you when you are scheduled. I've been keeping you and all our other KT friends who have health problems in my prayers in this awful winter.
joyfulguy
14 years ago
I'm sorry that you had this to cope with, along with the health problems - that are ongoing, not a one-time deal.

It is regrettable that the police person, considering the unusual situation, was unwilling to take you. I'm sure that you made him aware that you'd attempted to get three taxis. I'd be visiting the police station, to have a discussion with the chief ... it seems to me that they and the fire/ambulance people need to be more aware of the urgency of the dialysis issue.

Maybe have a heart-to-heart with the fire people, also, to see whether they're aware of the urgency of a dialysis appointment.

I agree, that I would be following up on this situation.

Were you expecting anything like that much snow? Do you have an arrangement with a local teen-ager who might shovel for you when needed?

Though it would take something of a saint to be willing to be called at 4 a.m. ... could you have called and had him/her shovel last night?

Maybe try to set up such a plan, if it's feasible, now, with regard to such an eventuality, later.

You'd sure be feeling helpless and frustrated, after all of that rigamarole!

Good wishes for a better evening ... and tomorrow (and when you next need to get to your dialysis appointment.

ole joyful.
workoutlady
14 years ago
Boy this makes me mad. Dialysis is life threatening. What an idiot! As bad as the police officer was though, I think that the ambulance personnel are worse. They are trained about medical emergencies. How could they be so stupid? Both my mother and my brother have been on dialysis so I really know how life threatening this is. If this were their family, they'd be upset too. I'm really getting tired that people seem to be losing their common sense and decency.

I'm sorry this happened to you.

My Crazy Morning(long rant)

Comments (17)

gadgets

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

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My Crazy Morning(long rant)

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jannieOriginal Author

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