Patient Advocacy Blog

"I was in the hospital following neck surgery and was having difficulty breathing and swallowing.  After a day of complaining, an ENT consult was scheduled for me, but before that happened, I suffered a stroke.  Later I found out it was caused by a blood clot from the surgery."

Gretta M.

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JKPPA Lesson: Without being angry or challenging, always and repeatedly advocate for yourself.  Tell your caregiver that something is not right.  To me, difficulty breathing and swallowing is an emergency.  I need a doctor to help me now because I am afraid that something bad is going to happen.  Ask what the plan is for you and then continue to speak up to make it happen. “Please get the ENT doctor here NOW; this can’t wait!"