My husband has been away for six months and he has been in a diabetic coma, had double pnuemonia and had several seizures, just recently he was hospitalized from Tuesday, July 28 until Friday the 1st. He was in Intensive care unconcious and nobody notified me!!! Is this normal for such serious health problems to exist with no family notification? How can I get a specialist to him? I am worried, he is only 32 but having unexplained seizures...

Mrsmaze,

I have no answers to your questions, I just pop up to tell you how sorry I am for your pain, and that I will keep you and your husband in my thoughts.

((((HUGS))))

Phil

Is he in CT? Or another state? Or federal prison? Typically a prisoner in most states should have signed a form allowing someone of their choosing to be notified in case of a medical emergency. You should certainly have been notified in any case. I would be raising major hell! If the health care is run by the State [or feds] I would contact the DOC and find out who has oversight of the health care system and who is in charge of health care at the prison where your husband is located. If the health care is privitized [Correctional Medical Services is a common private provider], find out the State's Director of Health Care for the Company and direct your concerns to him/her. But also contact the prison's Director of Health Care, too. Finally, the State often will have someone in the DOC who is charged with health care oversight--contact that person, too. Document everything you do and who you talk to and what they say. Then start pounding out the letters--keep the letters simple and to the point and make sure you are specific in what you want to see happen [i.e, notification of hospitalization, neurological consult, etc...].

You will want to talk w/your husband [or if possible, see him] and find out what they are/are not doing for him. Has he been injured in any way that may cause seizures? This is a question to ask him.

It is unlikely that they will let you bring in a doctor b/c of liability, etc.... But you can request his medical records--he will need to sign a release allowing you access and they will fight you every step of the way, but I would pursue this as well.
I really think you need to jump on this situation as soon as possible--if they don't think there is someone on the outside looking out for him, less will be done!

A final thought....most States have regulations about visiting while someone is hospitalized or in the prison's infirmary and about notification--ask the DOC for a copy of these regulations or guidelines so you have this information as well.

I don't mean to alarm you but I think your concerns are very much warrented and you need to protect your husband the best way you can, given the obvious limitations and barriers.
Let us know what happens.

Also, feel free to PM me if I can be of further assistance. I have been dealing w/health care issues in prison systems for over 8 years [mostly as an advocate] and will be glad to assist/advise you as is possible.

My best to you and your husband....