«They once again were making it clear they were going to send us home with no help – so my boyfriend blocked the door and said he was NOT taking me home until they ran additional tests. He had to use his large physical presence to get attention – he got loud and said “if I take her home she’s going to die.” They threatened to call security but he held his ground and said they could call whoever they wanted – we weren’t leaving without tests.

This tactic may not be safe for everyone. We were fortunate that this occurred in Canada and that he was white… the situation never escalated to physical violence. It absolutely could have and I’m grateful every day that it didn’t. They did threaten to call the police for ‘trespassing’ but he sternly told them that if they did that he would tell the police that they had been refusing me even the most basic of tests.

Thankfully – a doctor overheard the exchange and finally came to see me. At this point we had only seen nurses and security guards. This doctor took one look at me – pale, sweaty, breathless and curled up in the fetal position – and immediately ordered an ultrasound and extensive lab work.

As soon as the ultrasound and blood work came back I was being injected with high doses of IV antibiotics, pain medication and rushed for a CT scan. I had a flurry of doctors and nurses around me and most looked panicked. It turns out they saw a large shadow on the scan that indicated either a perforated bowel or abscess and my blood work showed I had a life threatening infection and needed another round of blood transfusions.

It had become so serious that the hospital we were at couldn’t even treat me – and I had to be transported to a larger hospital nearby.»

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/my-most-dangerous-er-experience-and

I just kind of skimmed until I got to that part. 😮

So, this was years ago, but even so: you’d think if somebody had been to the ER four times after surgery with complaints but no tests, they’d run a test. Patients need advocates, I guess.