over two years ago I was diagnosed with prostrate problems and offered an operation called a prostatus. I saw the Consultant who talked me through the operation and said I would need to go in to Hospital on the Sunday and would not be operated on until my diabetes had stabilised. I was therefore surprised to be called in on the morning of the operation to be operated on immediately. I phoned his Secretary who was very unconcerned, so I said I would not be coming in. Later that day I received a call, saying there was a mix up and to attend on the Sunday as arranged. I then received a letter confirming it, but not to take any food or drink. I again telephoned the Secretary and after explaining that I was a diabetic, I was told to take my insulin as usual. At that time I was only taking Nova Rapid 50 CC's in the morning and 65 cc in the Evening.
I took my medication and insulin then I rang the hospital to confirm they had a bed. I arrived at hospital at 9-35 am and was shown to a waiting room. My Wife and I sat there for four and a half hours. I began to feel the effects of a hypo and my Wife called a Nurse, we explained what was happening and that I needed sustenance and she set off to get me something to eat. We sat there for a further 15 Min's by this time my sugar was down to 2.6 and I was starting on a full Hypo. A nurse arrived and saw I was in some distress and finally took me in to the Ward, but nothing was done to help me. By this time my Wife was frantic as my sugar had dropped down to 1.8 and she administered an injection of Glucagen, which she carried in her bag. Soon the Ward Doctor arrived and I was placed on a Diabetic Pump. During the night, the pump malfunctioned and gave me a larger dose of insulin, this sent me into another hypo and Filipino Nurses were absolutely clueless, one attempted to set me up on a drip and broke the needle in my hand, while another was about to inject me with insulin, then another could not make out what glucogen was when I asked for it. Finally I was again linked up to another pump and things stabilised. That was at 3-30 am and I was taken to surgery, despite the two Hypo incidents. When I arrived, still attached to the pump, which was constantly beeping, the Surgeon refused to operate until it was removed. There was as a stand off for over 4 hours, until finally the pup was disconnected and I was given anesthetic in my back. I remained awake during the whole procedure. Before I left that ward I had another hypo and I discovered my insulin was left outside the fridge during the week I was in that hospital.
I did complain to the Health Care Commissioner, but that is another story.
