Life and death message for X-JW's

Junction-Guy

This is extremely important. If you have not done so already, make sure that you contact all of your doctors and all of the hospitals you have used in the past and let them know that you will now take blood if needed.

This is a very true story. As you all are aware, my Mom had her 2nd heart cath this past week. The first one she had was at this very same hospital. This hospital used to be her main hospital about 30 years ago, however since then she has used other hospitals, with the exception of these past 2 heart caths.

Well she just told me that when she was in the hospital this past week, she was approached by the nurse and was asked "Didn't you at one time refuse blood transfusions?" Mom replied "Yes I was once a Jehovah's Witness, but now I will take blood if needed to live" Well the nurse looked at her and said "Well you must signt this form authorizing us to use blood if necessary"

What is really shocking about this is that she had the same procedure 3-4 years ago at this same hospital, and no one even mentioned her previous orders to refuse blood. 4 years ago they would have probably refused her blood because of outdated medical orders from 30 years ago. They still had this on file.

One more thing, it just so happens that my grandma was in the room the same time this was going on, and apparently she is now mad at Mom and semi-shunning her right now, all due to this lying blood doctrine.

So please double check this with all doctors and hospitals you used while you were a JW, this may save your life someday.

ninja

and your cards that say..."no blood".....cover the part that says "no"

Junction-Guy

Yes, definitely get those out of your wallet and destroy them.

AudeSapere

Excellent advise, JG.

I suggest updating your directives with your doctors and area hospitals before you have an emergency. Possibly change your emergency contact info, too, if the person(s) listed are active witnesses.

THEN check back in a week or two to make sure the info was truly changed and not reverted back to the old.

Here is my experience from just two years ago:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/16/95897/1.ashx

I don't remember if I posted it or not but about a month after I was discharged, I returned for a few simple tests. My chart was sitting on the counter and I glanced at my general information. I noticed a 'JW' response on the chart and asked the nurse what 'jw' meant. Her response: Your religion.

I was angry. Not at her, obviously, but at the hospital's inability to properly update my records. She found the way to permanently change the data and needed to reference a few other screens on the computer in order to do so.

Thanks again for the reminder. I also strongly encourage all fading or ex witnesses to do the same. And then check the system again later on.

-Denise.

Junction-Guy

I'll tell you what, next time she has a procedure done at this hospital, we will be sure to double check it.

Hortensia

thanks!

misanthropic

Thanks for the reminder Junction Guy, very important if you're ever unconscious and they can't locate anyone to speak for you.
lol Ninja...

flipper

Hey, Dave, so glad to hear your mom is ok! mrs flipper

mimimimi

I had a heart cath on July 27. One stent placed for a 90% blockage and two 50% blockages are being treated medically. Afterwards, I developed a large hematoma that broke loose and I was bleeding internally. My blood pressure plummetted. I was told this is an extremely rare thing to happen. Fortunately, I was already in ICU after the heart cath with a nitroglycerine drip because of chest pain and they were able to help me. One of the nurses put a red band with some numbers around my wrist and said that was in case I needed a blood transfusion. Fortunately, I had already had this hospital change my records several months ago to state that I was a "Christian", not a J-dub. When the lady in registration at that time questioned me about changing it and actually said "what about blood transfusions", I told her I no longer believed that way. Obviously, this hospital did get my information changed and I am so glad they did. I did not have to have a blood transfusion, but there would have been no hesitation in giving me one if it had been necessary. I also at that time changed my secondary contact information from the witness relatives it had been previously to my non-witness sons.

But I do have other hospitals I have gone to in the past that I need to change that information for, particularly now that I am on aspirin and Plavix. If I had an emergency, I would not want to be taken to one of those hospitals and they have on record that I am a J-dub and think I would refuse blood. I'm glad this came up because it makes me realize I have more work to do to get this information changed.

bluebell

Good reminder, I haven't used hospitals but one of the first things I did when I stopped was go to the doctors and make sure they crossed off "Jehovah's Witness" on my medical records.

Life and death message for X-JW's

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