Results: Medical Mayhem (Part 2 of 4)

After I had experienced seizures, eclampsia, and the stillbirth of my first child, my PCP was concerned about what damage might have been done to my body, and sent me to see a cardiologist. He said my heart was fine, but was concerned about protein in my urine, and referred me to a kidney specialist. Have you ever had an EKG (an electrocardiogram that records the electrical signals in your heart)?

Although protein in urine indicating kidney damage is typical in eclampsia, the nephrologist was concerned about the high levels that had not resolved a few months later. He recommended a renal biopsy. I didn't know what that was, and was upset when I learned what it entailed. Have you ever initially not understood a doctor's recommendation?

After 2 weeks of tests in the hospital, I finally had my kidney biopsy. The doctor administered a local anesthetic, inserted a needle into my back, and removed a small sample of kidney tissue. The reason I consider this incident to be "medical mayhem" is because this invasive procedure was not performed in an O/R or in a hygienic treatment room, but in the public sunroom at the end of the hall where ambulatory patients enjoyed visiting with family and friends. At least the room was off-limits during my biopsy. Do you think this was an appropriate location for a potentially perilous procedure?

I was even more concerned about the unsanitary site they chose for my procedure when I learned that kidney biopsies can result in infection, vessel damage, or severe bleeding. Would you have been bold enough to question the doctor about the unsterile and ill-equipped nature of the room before the biopsy?