Memoir of a Raw-Milk-Illness-Turned-Medical-Nightmare

The Complete Patient ^ | April 1, 2007 | David Gumpert

[davidgumpert]

The parents of a young boy hospitalized by illness they think was caused by raw milk experience provide a diary-like account of their experience with the healthcare system. This is Part 1 of a two-part item.

[davidgumpert]

The parents of a young boy seeking emergency care find themselves sinking into a nightmare of botched communications, contradictory doctor opinions, and an inflexible healthcare system...as their son's life seems to fade away. This is Part 1 of a two-part item.

[Sherman Logan]

Good information for the idiots who think everything "natural" is good for you.

Bacterial infections are about as natural as something can get.

There's a reason we pasteurize milk.

[Roccus]

Why is it that the people in the "health food" stores are always the most sickly looking people in the mall?

[Fire_on_High]

Can you ping me when you post the second half please?

[VOA]

Chris is admitted into Kaiser Hospital, Riverside

During my 10 year stay in Los Angeles (1995-2005), Kaiser was my
health provider (went to the one on Cadillac).

Half of the doctors I encountered were very competent and smart.
The other half could not recognize a case of recurrent cellulitis
if it hit them over the head.

I had to explain to two of them what was wrong with me.
Shaking their heads, they finally gave me the necessary antibiotics.

In this age of the internet, I always use a "trust, but verify" approach
with health-care professionals. Because I don't want to end up crippled
or dead. Or as an example case on that series on The Discovery Channel.

"Missed Diagnosis"

[mkjessup]

The parents of a young boy hospitalized by illness they think was caused by raw milk experience provide a diary-like account...

If it had been a DAIRY like account, the kid might not have gotten sick.

Which reminds me of the story of a lady who was suffering from a skin irritation, went to her doctor who recommended that she take one milk bath a day, she asked "should it be pasteurized?" and the doctor said "nooo, just up to your t*ts".

[groan]

[sunvalley]

Often times, I take care of patients, and the parents seem to have little idea of what is going on. Sometimes, right after speaking with one of the doctors, the parents will ask me questions regarding the plan of care for their child. It seems they are often too intimidated to question the doctors directly. One thing we are doing at my hospital is family-centered rounds, in which the group of doctors, nurses, and other staff caring for the child meet each morning in the patients room to talk to the parents. We are able to discuss what has happened, what types of things we expect the current day (any tests being ordered, typical progression of illness, etc), test results, goals for the day, etc. This is also a time when parents are able to ask questions, and either the parents or nurses can express concerns. By doing this, everyone, staff and families, understand what is happening and what is expected. We are all "on the same page". By keeping the family involved, we are making sure they feel empowered and understand what is happening and why. When I walk into the room to draw blood or administer medication, they parents know why I am doing it, and they aren't confused as to why their child needs more bloodwork or why we are trying a different medication. My advice to any patient or family member is to ask questions. Don't ever feel like you are just "not getting it", or that you are taking up too much of the staff's time. It is important for you to understand what is being done, what is going to be done, what test results are and what they mean. Don't be afraid to refuse a procedure or medication if you don't understand why it has been ordered. After all, it is your health and your body, and you deserve to have someone explain to you, in a way that you understand what is happening.

[ThePythonicCow]

I don't think it was the raw milk. I think it was the spinach that had the E-coli. For instance, reading further in this article, see Reader Comments (7):

Your comments are probably good advice, although I've just read elsewhere that Mark McAfee has determined that the e coli which allegedly came from his raw milk was likely to have come from spinach. He reports that the State of California had failed to release test results on another couple of kids who got sick, who had not had raw milk, but whose test results (from eating spinach) were consistent with the kids who were hospitalized. This is all quite aside from the issue of probable medical error in the treatment of the kids who got so desperately sick - but not, apparently, from raw milk.

There has been other evidence, recently confirmed in Investigators trace spinach E. coli to California cattle ranch, that this E coli came from spinach.

There has been no evidence, despite repeated testing, of any E coli at Mark McAfee's Organic Pastures.

I continue to enjoy raw milk from Organic Pastures.

[Marie]

Both my children have been hospitalized for serious issues. Now I have an above average IQ, a killer vocabulary and I understand medical lingo better than most.

With all that, both times my kids were in trouble I became dumb as a rock. Something in my mind snapped and I simply couldn't *hear* what was being said to me. The staff may as well have been speaking German. In the week my son was in the hospital after he was diagnosed with diabetes I kept having to take breaks during the lessons to regain my composure. When I would practice drawing up units of insulin (the simplest thing!) I botched it over and over again.

As for questions...? Heck, I couldn't think of one darn thing to ask when I had the opportunity. An hour after the doctor left the gears would finally start to turn and I'd bombard the nurses.

I think that a part of me couldn't accept that this was his lot in life. We do very well managing his disease, but I'm sure the staff thought this poor kid had a real moron for a mother at the time.

[dighton]

So as not to be a spoiler by giving the title, there’s a Flannery O'Connor story ...

[sunvalley]

It is really common for people in a stressful situation to need time to understand the implications of newly-diagnosed diseases or even acute illnesses. And, of course, we always think of questions fifteen minutes AFTER the doctor has left the room. By having everyone involved in rounds, we are often able to anticipate questions parents haven't yet thought of. And, while drawing up insulin is pretty easy, I'm sure you were a complete basket case when you were learning. The idea of administering a medication, by injection, is pretty scary. I nearly fainted the first time I drew up and administered insulin. I was sweaty, my heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking. My poor patient! Anyway, don't beat yourself up about it. It is a given, regardless of intelligence, that learning about and understanding a new diagnosis will take time and patience.

[davidgumpert]

Nothing was ever proven for certain in this situation. The California Department of Health Services concluded that four children with a distinctive form of E.coli had all consumed raw milk. Chris, the fifth child, had similar symptoms and timing of symptoms to lead his parents to conclude he had the same E.coli. He consumed spinach, but not the bagged variety that was linked to E.coli.