Quick word on advocacy

Quick word on advocacy or maybe more importantly the advocate. Dictionary defines the word advocate as: One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor. In my case I was lucky that my wife became my advocate in my relationship with the hospital and Dr's. First and foremost the advocate has to be able and willing to research, make decisions based on your wishes, and be able to say no. Most of the hospital staff sees the patient as an individual and treats them with expertise and compassion. ICU personnel were experts at what they did and from my point of view (if you have a point of view in a coma) experts at handling family and spouses.

Doctors, in some part, although expert, approach the patient and staff with a slightly condescending manner. This may be ego or just the position that society puts them in, better and more important than the average. If you put the power of life and death along with money and perceived power then you are surprised at some of the negative personality traits then it is the patient who is being naive at best but more likely delusional. Although the previous statements seems harsh they none the less are true to some degree in most doctors but the Dr's who realize this and keep it in perspective are truly treasures to be cherished. I had both types of Dr's, one treats the illness the other treats the patient. For the most part I had wonderful Dr's who treated the patient.

After being on life support for most of the month the question came up as to what to do long term, it was suggested to my advocate (Cindy my wife) that I be sent to a long term care facility, in Indiana, that would keep me as long as I needed life support. My advocate started lobbying for the Dr's to bring me out of coma and see what was there. Finally they agreed to a couple of days to see what would happen. My advocate knew my wishes on long term life support. I was moved from ICU to step down unit to see what would happen. My advocate stayed with me night and day and continually talked to me and let me know how important it was for me to wake up and intellectually be there.

It was my advocate who told me what had happened, although I knew I was in a hospital, I didn't know what had happened, car accident, heart attack, stroke, etc. The first words that registered was "do you know who I am?" I thought of course I know who you are, why would my wife ask me that question? That's when it dawned on me I had to let people know I was all there.

If it had not been for my advocate I would probably be in long term care in Indiana and possibly be gone. You must have someone who watches out for you and says "no I won't allow that".



The rod of Asclepius (also known as the rod of Asklepios, rod of Aesculapius or asklepian) is an ancient symbol, meaning healing the sick through medicine. It consists of a serpent entwined around a staff.















The caduceus is sometimes used as a symbol for medicine or doctors (instead of the rod of Asclepius) even though the symbol has no connection with Hippoctetas and any association with healing arts is something of a stretch; as the symbol of the god Hermes, its singularly inappropriate connotations of theft, commerce, deception, and death have provided fodder for academic humor. (Wikipedia)