Leaks in the roof, staff are inattentive and spaced out, no effort to maintain cleanliness – quite shocking

This was a few months ago. I attempted suicide.

First encounter with Dr. Leigh Solomon was at hospital room doorway, she stopped, looked in, she asked “How old are you?” “married?” “children?” I answered with my age, and no, no. That was it. She said she would prescribe drugs. She left.

First “session” with her, very first thing she said to me was that I should not have been admitted, that I should not be there just because I am lonely. I knew that there were a lot of people who profiled single women that way, especially once they get to upper ages, but a psychiatrist? All I could answer was “what makes you think that about me?” She replied “because that is what I do”. I started to reply “No…” and I proceeded to try and say some things about what really was going on with me. She cut me off after only a few words saying “I don’t want to hear about that”. She said she would be discharging me. She told me she prescribed drugs. She got up to leave. I told her “wait, I wanted to talk to you about drugs, because certain drugs…” she cut me off, said she wasn’t about to discuss drugs with me. She told me that there is no help there. I said “no programs, or talk therapies, of any type? She said no.

Mostly I just stayed in room. One day though I did start to venture out of room, noticed a group session, I was invited in. Therapy Art session. I joined in. Broke down sobbing. Couldn’t help it. Things going on inside. Went to a second art session. I was asking myself why did psychiatrist say “no”?

Next “session” Dr. Solomon said “will be discharging”. I told her that I did find some programs going on and that I joined in. She did not even look up when I said that. She ignored it completely. She was writing something, said without looking at me “apparently you are not liking it here or the nurses”. I was shocked, it was exact opposite. (of course no one “likes” being there but that was never a topic of any discussion). About the nurses, I had even mentioned to nurses that I was grateful that they were professional and nice. What was she talking about? I said “What? in disbelief at what she said. I said “no, as a matter of fact…”, she cut me off, all done without even looking at me. What could she possibly be writing with nothing but that going on? What she said was completely untrue. It was very disturbing. She left. I went back to room. I did not understand at all. What was going on? I also had to wonder why, if she just kept discussing discharge, then why not just discharge me then that very day or before? What was she doing?

Another program was brought to my attention by a person there. I went.

The entire week held the same pattern.

More to tell, but too long for posting.

No programs on weekend. A discharge “date“ Monday morning. Why stay weekend? Just pacing or lying on bed in pain. Asked nurse could I leave. Was told the weekend on call doctor would be asked. He came Sunday. I expected discharge by him. To my surprise I was told by him that a different psychiatrist would start with me on Monday. So the plan was for me to stay longer.

Monday morning I was surprised when Dr. Solomon entered my hospital room. Told me to get ready to leave. I was confused. Did not know what to say. I just said quietly and politely “uh, oh, Dr. Solomon, you don’t know what happened over weekend?” She said “well I spoke a bit with the nurses, why?!” Only words I found to say, exhausted, “I really don’t know anymore Dr. Solomon…”. She just looked at me, left. I sat for a while confused. Asked nurse what was going on. She looked into it, ended up confirming yes new doctor, no discharge.

Minutes later same nurse came back with bag of belongings telling me to leave. I said “what?”. She would not answer me. Not even look at me. I asked “what happened? What’s going on?” She just kept looking down. I guess a moral fibre in me told me I deserved at least that bit of respect to know what, why? So I said “ok I will leave, but first I need and deserve to know what happened.” She left. Minutes later 12-15 people stormed in and swarmed the room including at least 4 security guards. I was in disbelief. I tried to explain. They just cut me off. They told a non-violent, non-aggressive either physically or verbally, suicidal patient that if she did not come that second they would handcuff her and carry her out. I walked out with them and I was literally thrown out on the curb like I was garbage in cold snowing weather in just hospital garment, no coat to wear, told to walk, and not go anywhere for help.

There should be many more details written here, but the posting would be too long.

This is a teaching hospital, so I don’t expect 100 per cent performance. These people (staff and health care workers) are all trying to be there to help the sick and injured and fight pandemic fatique and worries and anxieties and many are sleep deprived, consuming a nutritionally poor diet. Yes, when I checked my report with MyChart, it’s full of inaccuracies and errors, jot down hastily by the attending resident because she probably is over worked and has to rush to see other patients and study at the same time. Yes, some of the doctors are not top notch, but I walked out pf the emergency department alive and kicking and go home safely, that’s what matters. And I don’t need to pay except for the expensive parking fees. So, I’d say for a community hospital it is a pretty nice place.