DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Need Hospital Info and Help

This will Be a rather loaded post full of questions. But hopefully some of you can help lead me in the right direction.

My ex wife has had many medical issues over the last couple of years. A little over a year ago, she underwent heart surgery where two valves were replaced and one was repaired.

Since that time, she also underwent a spleenectomy (sp?) where her spleen was removed. Now, she has a consistant issue with reoccuring infections. Her heart doctor has indicated that he believes it is associated with the valves and that this will be a vicious cycle of infections with her in and out of the hospital untill these valves are replaced. Sort of like her body is rejecting or refusing to accept the valves.

Her heart doctor has recommended that she either go to The Ohio State University Medical Center or The Cleveland Clinic. From everything I've read, we would prefer her go to The Cleveland Clinic. It has been rated the #1 heart hospital by U.S. News and World report for 12 straight years now.

However, we are having trouble getting information on their visitation policy. It would be optimum if one of these hospitals made accomidations where a family member could stay with the patient on a 24 hour basis, but as stated, we are still awaiting that information.

Ohio State allows 24 hour visitation, but does not permit you to sleep in the room. Which even at that, is a fairly liberal policy that sounds pretty good. She is the type of person who needs 24 hour support. And in actuality, even though we have been divorced for about five years, I am the only person she trusts and feels safe and secure with. So no matter the circumstances or what I must do or sacrifice, I will be there for her. Because without my presence and support, I don't know if she would make it through yet another heart surgery.

So now we're down to accomidations. I have had a severe back condition over the past few years. I have had spinal fusion surgery in my lower back and now they're telling me that even further surgeries will most likely be need in yet other parts of my back. But bottom line is, my spine and back are pretty much history.

So I have been living on a VERY limited income for some time. Which has little effect on me because I'm a rather simple person with few needs. But the point being, I have very limited resources when it comes to paying for accomidations.

From my understanding, The Cleveland Clinic is located in poorer part of the city with a high crime rate. Which if this is true, is the perfect situation for me. Because I'm sure in an area such as that, I can get some flea bag room on the cheap close to the hospital. Because if it has a bed,a shower, a TV and heat, that's all I give a damn about.

My time will be spendt at the hospital and all I'll need a room for is to catch some occasional sleep.

Any information anyone can give me in regards to these hospitals, VERY cheap accomidations in close proximity to these hospitals would be very much appreciated. I've tried looking these things up, but I'm sure people from close to the areas themselves have the inside track having lived in the areas themselves.

I would appreciate any help you could give me in these regards.

Sorry to hear about all that!

The only advice I can give is get out of downtown Cleveland... head about 10-15 miles out, and room rates drop dramatically.

Call the Comfort Inn Downtown Cleveland (216-861-0001) and ask about extended stay rates. It's rather cheap regardless (~$70/night), is actually just renovated, and on the new Euclid Coridoor silver line that can get you from hotel to hospital in about 5 minutes for $1 or whatever it is. It sits on Euclid and E. 18th, basically on CSU's campus.

You might be able to find something a bit more fleabag in-between, it's not the greatest stretch between E. 30th - E. 95th where the Clinic sits.

Thanks Michelle!



I'm seeing some for under 40 a day!
And like I said, the bare minimum is fine for me.

I work at Cleveland Clinic


they have a guest house that is availible, and long term housing accomidations right acrossed the street. I think they maybe able to somehow inlcude the housing in your insurance.... (check into it) The Nursing staff is very leanient when it comes to visiting hours for loved ones with serous illnesses, often if you can get in there and not be too noticeable theyll let ya stay as long as you want.


If you PM me today abnd are interested I will try to get all of the information out to you ASAP....


Good luck to you and your wife, if you decide the clinic is your best choice, please dont hesistate in PMing me.... Ill help as much as possible

Sorry to hear that Pit. I go downtown to the Walker Center (Cleveland Clinic) all the time and they really cleaned up that area big time. It's not a terrible neighborhood at all, well, if you get lost off Euclid it can get to look a little by Beruit. I know they have a few places on site b/c when I was about to have spine surgery down there my wife was going to stay there to be close to me.

I looed at the website Michelle posted and I noticed the Travelodge in Willoughby is only $40. Thats where I live and that place is right next to I-90 and about a 20-30 minute drive to the CC if the traffic isn't terrible. Another thing the clinic makes everyone pay for parking. Even workers

I want to thank you all for your support, help and ideas. It's nice to know how willing our fellow Dawgs are to pitch in and help. Once again, thanks to all of you.

My problem has been solved. One of our fellow Dawgs (not sure if he wishes for his name to be mentioned, so I won't) who lives VERY near the OSU Medical Center, has offered to let me stay with him during my ex wifes hospital stay.

All I can say is, he is a life saver! Sure having a motel room is great, but having a fellow Dawg to talk to and as support during this time is priceless as well.

I just wanted you all to know that the situation has been solved and that all is well.

Thanks once again for your ideas and support. I would have prefered The Cleveland Clinic myself. But the entire family wishes her to be closer so that they might have an oppertunity to visit as well. And all of them being from the Dayton area, Columbus was far more practical.

And as luck would have it, the housing arrangement could not have worked out any better. He and I have known each other pretty much since our Browns have returned and have seen and visited one another on many occasions. So I couldn't have asked for a better situation.

Thanks to all of you once again............



That's why we're the greatest fans in the NFL. We stick together.

Geez Pit,, that's really too bad about your X wife.. and you don't exactly paint a pretty picture of your situation either.. wow

First off, I can tell you from personal experience, the Cleveland Clinic knows how to treat those in thier care.. I've had two major surgeries, that last of which was at the main campus downtown.. Outstanding care really..

Ronald Mcdonald house is one place to check. I talked to my Dr.s people and they said to have you call and mention my name. They have an entire package of info that can get to you..... I'll PM you the info..

Good luck and when you come up here, you have to at least call me. I'll take you out for a beer or coffee or something to eat... it's a moral imparitive...

I just wanted to update everyone. They have completed all of her testing at OSU. The Cardiologist who is in charge of doing the actual surgery will be going over all of her tests tomorrow and making a decision about her surgery.

So I'll be heading to Columbus tomorrow in order to meet with the surgeon and stay with her. Hopefully the surgeon will have good news. I have been informed that no infection or bacteria was found in or around the valves themselves. So it is our hope of hopes that surgery may not be required.

So it's off to the home of THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Wish us luck please..............................................

And once again, Thanks for everyones advice and support.

I think about you and anybody you want.



I pray for the best.

I was getting ready to PM you to see what had happened. I was wondering if you were going to be able to keep her down this way. Sounds like OSU was the choice, and a good one! Good luck and let us know how it's going.

Best of luck Pit to you and the former Mrs. I'll send up a prayer or two for you.

Well, I'm back in Dayton and things went MUCH better than we initialy thought it would.



Her cardiologist in Dayton felt her heart valves would be replaced. But after almost two weeks of testing, an EXTREMELY compitant team of Dr's and staff at THE OSU Medical Center determined that one of the smaller arteries leaving the heart had some major constriction and would need angioplacty (sp?) or many simply call it baloon surgery.

It is not an "immediate threat or emergency" that it be performed right away. So we will be going back to Columbus for this operation in late April after her infection "endocarditus" has been treated and cleared up through antibiotics.

However, this surgery is very noninvasive. It can be done through a cathiter and is out patient surgery. With her heart and kidney history, he said in her case, they may keep her for a day or two for observation and as an extra safety precaution, but the surgery is minor and there will not be a need to "cut her open" per say.

I am very relieved to say the least.

I can tell you right now, they have their act together at OSU. The staff, from the aids, to the Dr.s, to the nurses, just EVERYONE there were so attentive, helpfull and informative that it just blew me away! They're a "cut last" kind of place. They exhaust every option,. perform every test and ONLY use surgery as a last option. We were sincerly blessed to have been pointed in that direction without a doubt.

I want to thank those who have supported me and helped me through this time. Without the help of my Dawg Talker friends, I would have had a VERY difficult time. You know who you are and I'll be forever greatfull.

Thanks again......................Pit

Good news, pit. It's nice to hear good things about a hospital as well.

If she has kidney problems, they may keep her a day or even sometimes bring her in a day early to hydrate her through IVs and get her ready to go. The dye the use with angios is tough on the kidneys, so if her kidney function is poor ahead of time, that is the reason for the "special precautions" they'd take.

Pit, that's great news man.. All my best to her and you also..

Thanks Arch.

And yes, as I've mentioned, it is far and away different than ANY hospital I've ever dealt with. It was a very extencive process in testing and them arriving at the "exact, proper medications that worked best for her".

She is taking FAR LESS medications than what these doctors here in Dayton had her on. And she seems to be feeling MUCH better than I've seen since before her original heart surgery almost a year ago.

I feel very relieved and reassured.

Good to hear, Pit.

It's sometimes hard to find a doctor who really takes the time to explain things. Sounds like she's in good hands. Good luck with everything.

Hey man thats great news. Yet another reason why THE Ohio State University rules :shameless OSU plug:
Seriously though, glad to hear things are looking much better!

I'm doing my old, fat, white guy, with no rythem dance bro

Pit, glad to hear that all is progressing well! Continued thoughts and prayers heading your way.

Hey Big Bro-

Sorry for the delayed reply. I'm glad to hear things are steering in the right direction. Hopefully you found a good pain doc down here in Dayton who can take care of you also. Keep us posted.

Great news! I knew you'd be happy at OSU, they are usually fantastic. I'm happy it went well!!

Thanks for all of those who have replied since my last post.

Yes, I've NEVER seen a hospital like OSU! They were GREAT!

And yes Nurse, I finaly saw a pain doctor today. Maybe now I'll be able to sit long enough to stay on the board a little more.



You see, I also have severe arthritus in my spine. So I asked him NOT to increase my pain medication, but to possibly add an anti-inflamitory to see if the combination would help rather than heavier pain medications.

He agreed and said he found it refreshing when patients aren't looking to "numb themselves" from their pain.

I explained to him that I felt if I was totaly devoid of pain, how would I know if I was straining or hurting myself? He agreed and I feel we got off to a good start.

Glad things are going well Roy. Best wishes to you both for better health in the future.