Thread by @invigilator4

1/ I am about to open up about getting health care in Saskatchewan during the COVID pandemic. After months of delaying taking the step to detox from alcohol addiction under proper medical supervision, my husband's health took a turn for the worse and he could no longer put it off

2/ Yesterday, I took him to the local ER. The situation was dire and the measure was recommended by both his mental health councilor and his Dr.
Upon arrival at about 10 am, he was already so heavily intoxicated he could barely walk.

3/ It was a real eye opener to see the range of reactions. The best being the admissions clerk who immediately evaluated the situation and brought him a wheelchair, the second worse being the intake nurse who asked him questions for 5 minutes before it dawned on her he was drunk

4/ The worst was the Dr that told him it was inconvenient for them & could he come back another day. He also had a health concern that would have justified a trip to the ER on it's own. Had I not been there I'm sure that was the point he would have given up and returned home

5/ Our saving grace was the mental health counselor who dropped everything & rushed in. It was him that, very professionally, read the Dr the riot act. It was him that ensured he got the medical attention they were willing to put off. After blood tests and xrays they admitted him

6/ After 5 hours in the ER he was finally settled into a room. Watching the activity, there was no doubt the hospital was busy. We are in an area impacted by outbreaks. That point was accentuated as we watched two men wheeling a gurney past us with a clearly occupied body bag.

7/ Provincial health data stated there were only 3 people hospitalized for COVID in our region, which includes 2 hospitals, so I made some inquiries. What I found out painted a whole different picture than those useless stats our SK government spits out everyday.

8/ Just a few weeks ago, our hospital had only 9 of its max 31 patient capacity. I had been told 16 patients were discharged to free up beds
Why was it inconvenient for them? Why were they suddenly near capacity?
Why were they trying to turn away a non-COVID patient?

9/ I had found out early in the day that his initial screening was partly hampered because they were only allowing him to be seen by the Dr on call, and his Dr, who was familiar with his situation and his current health concerns, was not going to see him due to COVID protocols

10/ I found out the hospital had been sent COVID patients from a LTC home 2 hours away. I was told there were also patients who had COVID symptoms, who tested negative but came from outbreak areas. None of those patients were included in that count.

11/ Learning the real situation invoked a range of emotions, beginning with the one emotion no one should have to face when trying to get health care for their loved one, guilt
I heard how overworked the staff were. I didn't share what I learned with my husband for two reasons

12/ One because I knew if he knew, he too would feel guilty and want to leave. I also knew that he already feared just being there was putting him at risk of catching COVID, it's why it took an underlying health issue to get him there in the first place.

13/ Then frustration. Our hospital serves nearly 10K people. Why send COVID patients from other areas, that are closer to PA & S'toon than we are, when we are dealing with an outbreak of our own? Is that why they sent those 16 patients home? Because that was the plan?

14/ Overall, I came home angry. Angry knowing how much damage has been done to our already weakened health care system. Angry because I know there are people out there suffering that don't have the support it took to get my husband the care he needed.

15/ I was also angry because the entire day was an acute reminder to me that my own health, mentally and physically, has deteriorated to the point that I treat it as normal. The COVID mentality has taken over health care and I have put off getting the help I need.

16/ We are bombarded with the propaganda that COVID is the country's biggest health emergency. I would argue that obsession with COVID at the expense of all other health care is our biggest emergency. It has become a distraction from whole body health.

17/ I can not get through the COVID screening questions personally without answering yes to multiple symptoms. They have nothing to do with COVID, and are symptoms I've had for months, even years. But what happens is when you answer yes, you are now a suspected COVID patient

18/ And the moment they suspect COVID, that becomes the focus & your symptoms get viewed as potential side effects. In my husband's case, his medical condition could have been appendicitis, but they ignored his pain for 3 hrs, but they asked plenty of COVID questions

19/ While, after yesterday's ordeal, I'm now even less likely to get the health care I need for myself right now, I have to reassure my friends that I do have support. I have people who have been there for me. Those people have kept me going. I am forever grateful to them.

20/ It was a sleepless night last night and this morning I get the joy of calling a lawyer to explain why my husband won't be able to "attend" a court hearing scheduled for this morning that marks the beginning of the foreclosure of our home.

21/ I get to answer calls from bill collectors who will demand to know when he will be able to work again
And explain to his boss from his job he just started last week why he has to wait for a Dr's note which he demanded in order to not be fired, knowing he probably will anyways

22/ To be clear, our financial fall began well before COVID, but COVID has had a definite impact on our ability to get back on our feet.

I am exposing my personal details because I know I am not alone. It's the hardest thing I've done in a long time

23/ Now I sit here wondering if I should hit "tweet all" or delete. If you're reading this, it's because I decided if just one person, who feels all alone, can relate to my story & is inspired to reach out then it means I chose to be part of the solution. I hope I don't regret it

24/ I need to add something important. As a support person for my husband, I am no stranger to alcoholism. I have spent many hours in ACOA sessions myself. I watched alcohol destroy my grandfather and my parents
My most vivid memory as a young child was accompanying my mother...

25/ ...to the local bar, which was on fire, because the police and firefighters could not get my father to leave until he finished his beer. They called her to come get him to leave the bar. Back in the day when forceful removal was the last option.

26/ Update: So just found out the hospital doesn't supply the meds they have to give him. I have to go into the pharmacy today and pick them up and take them to the hospital. I have to say I'm a bit dumbfounded over that. 😳

27/ Update!
I have to say the ward nurses are fantastic and more than make up for the stress of yesterday.
And my fears I could not be with him were erased. I'm his support and I can be there for him.
His symptoms are still mild. He feels rough but is in a good state of mind❤