I went to the ER at ORMC after very sudden onset abdominal pain, faintness, diarrhea, and vomiting. The pain was so intense that I was kicking the car window as my husband rushed me to the ER. While I was kicking the window my shoes came off and remained in the car. While in the ER lobby, I was questioned about my symptoms. The staff noticed my bare feet, and treated me like I was a street person seeking pain meds. (I did ask if I could get something for the intense pain, but was told that they would not give me anything). While I was waiting to be seen, they took blood and urine samples and checked my vitals, all of which appeared to be normal. I repeatedly had to go to the bathroom where I had simultaneous diarrhea and vomiting. After waiting a while longer, I was finally taken to a bed, and Dr. O'Brien came to talk to me. He was very dismissive, saying everything came back normal, and said that I must have had a stomach bug and that it should pass quickly. I was given a Zofran and was sent home. As I got up from the bed, I again realized my shoes were in the car. A Catholic priest was visiting with a person at the front desk. Both the priest and the other person looked at my bare feet and acted like I was a bum. I asked if I could please get something to cover my feet and the person at the front desk seemed annoyed to have to find me a pair of non-slip socks. It turns out I had c.diff, which Dr. O'Brien could have diagnosed if my stool was checked. I found out because I continued to seek help after leaving the ER, and my primary scheduled an emergency colonoscopy with my GI. Left untreated I could've died. I had a life or death condition but was treated like a shoeless bum seeking pain meds. It was an awful experience. And it was the worst physical pain I'd ever experienced in my life.

Submitted March 26, 2020