topic Re: New Triaging😱 in Wellness

New Triaging😱

hooked on books — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:51:25 GMT

So of course it just keeps getting worse. Our state is now working on implementing a "point system" to determine who would get 1st priority critical medical care, due to the foreseen upcoming shortage of respirators. Anyone over age 60, with an serious existing medical condition (they listed the medical conditions but I'm so rattled that I can only remember a couple; COPD, Cancer and about six other conditions) will be eligible for treatment but be on the lowest point of the scale for receiving that critical care treatment. People younger and healthier with more positive outcomes and more years to live would be given first priority for life-saving treatment. I'm crying as I write this because my DH and my mom would both be at the bottom of the scale if the worst happens and they become seriously ill or suffer a serious physical injury as they are 76 and 84 respectively and both have several serious existing conditions. My mom is also a 4 year and 7 month Stage 3B lung cancer survivor. I am literally sick to my stomach right now thinking about this. Sorry to be such a downer but thanks for "listening" to me.😢😥

Re: New Triaging😱

tansy — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:12:31 GMT

What state, @hooked on books? I know it's difficult but this is a worse case scenario and plans do have to be made. Between my husband and me we have several of the pre-existing conditions.

It's not just the shortage of ventilators but a coming shortage of the medications needed to ventilate patients. It's beyond scary.

Re: New Triaging😱

Toppers3 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:06:01 GMT

I'm so very sorry to hear this.

Sendimg hugs your way.

I have been feeling so very. very, sad about the whole situation concerning the Covid Virus, for reasons like yours--supplies being very short, people dying from the Virus, anxiety over who may get it, and who may or may not be tested for it, people not finding what they need at the stores and markets, people who may need regular critical medical care, etc.

Re: New Triaging😱

GCR18 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:07:21 GMT

I have a feeling this is the tip of the iceberg. The best any of us can do is buckle down, not leave the house, not let anybody in, use the safety precautions shown to clean everything that comes into the house.

I can understand your fears. The world around us is out of control. We can only control the things I mentioned above until we get through this pandemic. You can do this.

Re: New Triaging😱

hooked on books — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:21:42 GMT

@tansy, Massachusetts.
@Toppers3, thanks for the hugs! Right now I really could use them!
@GCR18, thanks for the supportive words. I have to go out to the pharmacy, which is right in the grocery store, every week or so to pick up medication for DH, mom and myself. I also just grab a few groceries since I'm in there anyway. I have to go again on Monday or Tuesday and I am beyond terrified that I will bring this horrible, horrible virus home to them unwittingly. I am also dealing with long-time anxiety and depressions issues and right this minute, I have to admit I'm really struggling! Trying not to let DH and mom know how frightened I am because I don't want them to be worrying about me. Just trying to be strong.
Thanks so much fellow posters! I really do appreciate you!

Re: New Triaging😱

Toppers3 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:30:28 GMT

@hooked on books ,

I understand your anxiety, because I have it, too.

When I go out, I try to go out early when it's not as crowded, and I only go where I need to go, like you--supermarket and pharmacy--places like that.

I also try and keep my distance as much as possible from others.

Our stores even have the floors marked for social distancing, so that helps.

I already try to do my best at frequent hand-washing since I'm at high-risk for getting the Virus and my immunity is compromised.

It's hard not to be anxious, but I try to be as careful as possible when I do have to go out.

I think that's all any of us can do.

Please try not to worry, and just do your best when you go out. Please know that there are others who feel like you do, and who struggle with anxiety and depression, too. You're not alone.

Re: New Triaging😱

hooked on books — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:37:05 GMT

@Toppers3, thank you! I know there are so very many of us in frightening situations and so, so many people suffering both physically and emotionally right now. Wishing us all so much strength and courage as we face the days ahead.😷💪❤

Re: New Triaging😱

Snoopp — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:37:48 GMT

I am worried too. Trying to stay home but you can’t get home delivery anymore so many people are competing for the few spots. I worry I will bring the virus home. You’re not alone.

Re: New Triaging😱

Toppers3 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:44:14 GMT

Exactly..!

I think that we are all finding that we are drawing on inner strength that we probably didn't even know that we had, to rely on.

If you think about it, we're all probably having to improvise in ways that we probably didn't think that we would have to do...

It may be with the meals that we're having to cook because it may be that we may not be able to get some of the things that we usually buy, or it may be the way that we're cleaning, because we may not be able to get some of the products that we need right now.

It's nice to be able to come here to these forums for support, and know that we have each other, and know that we're not alone in our thoughts and concerns.

Re: New Triaging😱

hooked on books — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:58:37 GMT

@Toppers3, yes, it is so nice to have each other on the boards! We're not alone, we do have other and for that I am very thankful!!!❤

Re: New Triaging😱

hckynut — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 05:40:54 GMT

@hooked on books

I have not heard anything like that talked about from the heads of any state, nor by the daily press conferences given by the president. Not that familiar with where Massachusetts falls in the number of patients etc. I did however watch a doctor, who drives from Boston to Minnesota once every month to help fight the virus.

I am over 80 and have 2 underlying causes, and a 3rd that is iffy. Not going to go into my full perspective about "what if's/might be's" etc. Will only say that what you described here is a "would be", in your own words, not a "is happening". With that, this is all I will say.

Stay safe stay well, and!

hckynut(john)

Re: New Triaging😱

stuyvesant — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 06:00:17 GMT

Just my opinion here.

It's the nature of our medical establishment to treat people with preexisting conditions. That's pretty much what they do. Preexisting condition people are medical success stories.

We are attempting to 'flatten the curve' so that the medical system doesn't get overwhelmed and triaging doesn't become a common thing. That's the whole point of shutting down the country. That's how important the medical communiity and the powers that be think it is to NOT triage. They are willing to shut down the country first.

We don't know much about the virus yet. There's a 104 year old woman who survived. Other very old and fragile people have survived. They are beginning to think a lot of people may not even know they get it. Not everybody has to go on a ventillator. Most people get oxygen asistance, I think.

Finally, you don't want to go on a ventilator. You are desperately, desperately ill when you go on a ventilator.

Re: New Triaging😱

HoneyInADKS — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 07:07:09 GMT

I can't imagine it getting as bad as Italy. People dying gasping for breath because they were refused treatment. People dying alone because no one was allowed to be at their bedside. I watched a video a man posted from Italy. His Sister was dead on the bed behind him, and no one would go and pick up her body. They were hit hard and fast,and has/had the 2nd oldest population, behind China. It was terrible, and I can't imagine what the doctors had to go through while refusing treatment. I did watch a CNN interview a week ago with a doctor in New York. He showed a letter that the doctors had been given, about who gets priority in the event that resources are too limited to treat everyone.

My advice is for everyone to make some home-made masks (there are many sites online that tell you how). I wear a mask and gloves when I go out in public, as soon as I get back in the car I sanitize my hands. Then when I get home, I throw the mask in the washing machine, and wash my hands. I live about 3 hours North of New York City. My household consists of me, my 85 year old Mother, my 29 year old Daughter, and my 3 year old Grand-Daughter. Stay well everyone. I don't think life will ever again be like it used to be.

Re: New Triaging😱

catter70 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 10:11:18 GMT

I'm on the bottom of the scale.

Re: New Triaging😱

pigletsmom — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 22:30:15 GMT

This is something your state should have plans for at all times. This is just smart planning. At this point no one who needs a vent hasn't gotten it. Even the numbers in NY aren't yet close to anything that's been projected, at least where we'll need 40 thousand vents, and hopefully it stays that way.