Comments on Heidelbergerin: My Experience in a German Hospital - Part II

I can relate to part of that. When I was having a...

2009-07-13T17:54:04.007+02:00

I can relate to part of that.

When I was having a problem with my foot while back, I cycled to the doctor (I was able to cycle better than walk) and hopped into the doctor's office on the ground floor – visibly in pain.

After looking at it, the doctor told me to go to the 2nd floor for an ex-ray. I reminded her that I couldn't walk and she said, 'There's a lift in the hallway.' How silly of me to hope to be offered a wheelchair, crutches or other assistance.

Wow. Thanks for sharing your experience. I know me...

2009-07-05T11:25:09.878+02:00

Wow. Thanks for sharing your experience. I know medical stuff isn't always something people want to share - nevertheless you did a great job of sharing your story :)

By the way, the military woman didn't have surgury on post because we don't have a hospital here anymore - just doctors offices. They don't have all necessary doctors either, which is why I had to go on the economy to see a dermatologist a month or two ago.

What a scary experience, good thing you were treat...

2009-06-30T23:19:14.296+02:00

What a scary experience, good thing you were treated so well and quickly!

I don't speculate about your illnesses and I don't...

2009-06-30T14:28:19.311+02:00

I don't speculate about your illnesses and I don't welcome speculation about mine (which is why I didn't really mention my experiences when they occurred).
I had great trauma with the food. In an area with a 10% Turkish population I was offered a slice of pig meat and when my husband asked for a non-pig product (I say this so that there is no misunderstanding- he is German and therefore there was no communication problem)- the woman suggested he go buy me something.
On your other post HB8 apologized (to Cliff!)for stating that there are consistent cultural issues here in Germany. I do not apologize for stating this. It's true. And, before folks start- it's clearly not all Germans. Just a sizable enough group that a stereotype has formed communicating the attitude.
oh- and my hospital(s) had lines drawn on the floor that were color coded. Helped me a lot.

This is really interesting, CN and pretty much ech...

2009-06-29T22:47:54.854+02:00

This is really interesting, CN and pretty much echoes my experiences in January except that my surgery wasn't emergency and I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia threw up four times in the course of 12 hours when I was back in my room. Bleh.

Yes, terrible, terrible food. I can't believe they expect sick people to eat that stuff!

Naechste: It's definitely the weirdest that someth...

2009-06-29T21:33:36.367+02:00

Naechste: It's definitely the weirdest that something turned out to actually be wrong. I thought of myself as going to the doctor to make sure something WASN'T wrong, not to find out something WAS!

That sounds so scary. Being told you need to have...

2009-06-29T19:06:14.502+02:00

That sounds so scary. Being told you need to have surgery right away is so shocking and it takes a while to deal with all the confusion of being put under and the anxiety after you wake up of not knowing what could have happened. Hope you're feeling better.

This is B3rnd's comment reposted sans the speculat...

2009-06-29T18:50:16.298+02:00

This is B3rnd's comment reposted sans the speculation :) -

I'm stumped for the reason of the op, too.

@Mom in High Heels: German hospitals typically provide more than one type of meal. I think the usuals are "Vollkost", "Leichte Kost" (for people on a diet), "Vegetarische Kost" (vegetarian) and something pork free. In any case, if you don't want meat, the kitchen can accomodate you :)

And re. the green soup: sounds like "Erbsensuppe" (pea soup).

Hey guys, I really appreciate your concern. I deb...

2009-06-29T17:00:08.214+02:00

Hey guys, I really appreciate your concern. I debated whether to post about this experience for many months because it is more personal than what I normally want to share. I decided there was some value in posting what it's like in the German hospital/health care system, enough that I should go ahead. However, I hope to be able to do it (and think I don't detract too much from the main point) without having to go into the really personal stuff. :)
Of course I can't stop people from speculating and that is totally fine, but I prefer any speculation on this be done in private and behind my back. :) And I am okay now, with all future risk being the same risk that comes with any surgery (risk of adhesions or things like that). Thanks!

I don't know if that is different from America but...

2009-06-29T16:38:04.156+02:00

I don't know if that is different from America but here the A & E department normally has an extra entry / road which is open 24/7. I never had problems with locked hospitals when I was there for an emergency. But perhaps that was just my luck. :)

Hey C! I'm with Sebastian. What were you having ...

2009-06-29T16:11:34.309+02:00

Hey C! I'm with Sebastian. What were you having surgery for exactly? Having seen you since Jan, I know you're better, but is this something that can cause you problems later?
Also, green soup with a Wurst sitting in it? Gross. As someone who doesn't eat meat, my biggest fear is having to go into a German hospital and starve to death.
I had to go with my neighbor to the children's hospital (near the zoo) back in Dec in the middle of the night and it was a very similar experience to the one you had in your first post. Everything was locked and closed and there were no signs anywhere. How do sick Germans find their way around?

Hi, I looked again at both of your posts but I ca...

2009-06-29T15:19:23.433+02:00

Hi,

I looked again at both of your posts but I can't find the reason WHY you had to have surgery. What was the illness?

I hope you're allright now?