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I have simple one on my ankle about the size of a silver dollar. I got it when I was barely 18 and it was very sybolic of me at the time... A heart with wings. It may not be the best looking, but it is easily covered and when I see it, it brings back memories.
I am not a fan of tattoos that aren't easily covered... My hubby has wanted one since he joined the Military at 17, so this year for his 27th birthday we may get him one for being patient for 10 years! He wants it on his forearm though, and I say no way! Then he can't cover it with a short sleeve shirt. We'll see what happens...
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*Krista*
Golden Princess 9/8/2012
Carnival Elation 11/02/2009
Carnival Pride 04/24/2006
Carnival Pride 05/23/2004
Carnival Elation (I think) 1999
I know you are too young to receive this publication but there is an article about Med-Alert Tattoos in the current edition of the AARP newspaper .
Saw the article...guess that dates me (could have borrowed it you know) Anyway, I wear a medic alert bracelet and not once has our local hospital staff or ER staff ever looked at it and it's the large man size one.
Had one scary incident when I was in the E.R...a nurse came in with a needle and was going to start injecting medication in my IV tube. I stopped him and asked what it was. It was a medication I was anaphylactic too! He had never checked my medic alert or for that matter my admission chart. I contacted Medic Alert and the Hospital Administrator. Medic Alert was alarmed and contacted the Hospital directly. Been in hospital several times since...and NEVER ever has the staff looked at my medic alert. But they do check my chart. Always, always take an advocate with you...someone to speak for you just in case you can't, to watch out for you. To be YOUR advocate, your voice. (but that's another thread)
IF hospital staff doesn't pay attention to a LARGE RED medic alert bracelet...I seriously doubt that they will notice a tattoo with medical information. Especially since a lot of people have tattoo's with writing etc. In an emergency situation they're not going to pay attention. Good idea but not practical in the real world.
Fieldmouse, they often don't check your chart either. The last surgery I had they asked me repeadly beforehand what I was allergic to. After the surgery I found myself with a script for an antibiotic that I was allergic to despite my telling at least eight or ten people!
So true Moiraine! I am a firm believer in asking questions and QUESTIONING procedures, and medication.
That's one of the reason's I'm a big fan of ALWAYS having an Advocate with you when ever possible in the hospital or E.R. Someone to be your eyes, ears and voice, because obviously your not at your best or you wouldn't be there. There may be symptoms you'll forget, medication you've forgotten to mention. Your Advocate can help double check that your wishes are respected and your medical history, concerns and allergies are being taken seriously!
It's my body, my life...and if the nursing staff or doctor make a tragic mistake...a simple, "Geez, I'm sorry"...isn't going to fix it.
Since I am alone in life I would have no one to speak for me. I will wear a medic alert necklace. I just ordered one.
Laura
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“
---Mark Twain
I just have one... it was basically a "Hey - I'm 18 and wanna do something dumb" moment. It had no meaning. I wish that whatever I had DID have meaning. It's a tribal dragon on my right shoulder about 6" H x 3 1/2" W
Saw the article...guess that dates me (could have borrowed it you know) Anyway, I wear a medic alert bracelet and not once has our local hospital staff or ER staff ever looked at it and it's the large man size one.
I'm in no way justifying this or saying its ok - but as a nurse I can only imagine that he/she assumed all of your information would have been on the chart. Charts have big bright stickers when there are allergies... They must have assumed everything was ok since nothing was on the chart? Again - not saying it's ok just trying to figure out how that happened.
actingnurse: I believe that's why I was contacted directly by the nursing administrator AND the head of the E.R dept. Then when I called Medic Alert...they also wanted to know not only 'what happened? but 'why'? Our local hospital IS a major medical facility, with a hugh E.R dept., Life Flight, etc.
Doctors and nurses should NEVER assume anything. If the patient is conscious and can communicate...check and double check patient's chart, armband and even verbally with the patient BEFORE administering any meds. If the patient cannot communicate, but has a family member on hand, check with them or with the patient's Advocate.
Patient's die or are seriously injured because of medical malpractice. Medical staff get busy or because of being overwhelmed by the stress of their job take shortcuts. But hey...not on my watch!!! Like I said...an 'I'm sorry' is not going to fix anaphylaxis, coma or death caused by an 'innocent' mistake.
I just have one... it was basically a "Hey - I'm 18 and wanna do something dumb" moment. It had no meaning. I wish that whatever I had DID have meaning. It's a tribal dragon on my right shoulder about 6" H x 3 1/2" W
You and about 50 million other 18 year olds. I wouldn't feel too bad about it - with your age group a tattoo is almost mandatory!
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