Confessions of a Professional Hospital Patient is a humorous first person account of how to survive a hospital stay and escape with your life, dignity and sense of humor. The book, written with the insight worthy of a physician but from a patient's perspective, relates the TRUE goings on in hospitals and medical care today. Through Mr. Weiss' sharing of his most intimate, embarrassing and funny experiences, the book takes you through chapter upon chapter of useful nuggets of information on such important topics as preparing for the hospital stay, coping with nurses in the middle of the night, communicating with doctors, getting treated in the emergency room, creating privacy and dignity in the often demeaning hospital setting, dealing with the pain and setbacks associated with recuperation/rehabilitation and pursuing payment/reimbursement from bureaucratic managed care companies. In addition to the book being a very useful source of practical information for prospective hospital patients and their families, it is unique in its blend of humor and candor in addressing a delicate and uncomfortable topic. As a bonus, Mr. Weiss' personal story is truly inspiring and the manner in which he conveys his experiences is entertaining, funny and poignant. ABout the Author: Michael A. Weiss is a successful and well-respected thirty-eight year old attorney/MBA who unfortunately has been hospitalized more than fifty (50) times due in large part to his seventeen-year battle with Crohn's Disease. Crohn's Disease is an "auto-immune" and incurable illness usually causing painful inflammation in the intestines, small bowel and colon. The Disease and its complications have caused Mr. Weiss to undergo numerous abdominal surgeries, hernia surgeries, knee surgery and most recently, serious spine-fusion back surgery. The Disease's "auto-immunity" component has also caused Mr. Weiss to endure comical hospitalizations and emergency room visits for seemingly "run-of-the-mill" ailments such as indigestion, stomach viruses, colds, kidney stones, etc. His somewhat handicapped "recovery" time from these surgeries and afflictions and often-unpredictable medical reaction to prescribed treatments and medications have baffled his physicians and caused him to take the reins on his healthcare. Mr. Weiss has experienced all of the above in different hospitals, different states, with different doctors and at various stages throughout his life. He has been exposed to interactions with the medical establishment at all levels from the medical, surgical, psychological and rehabilitation wings to the corporate boardroom of stingy managed care companies fighting (and winning!) for coverage and reimbursement. Through it all, he maintained his sense of humor and escaped with his dignity and life intact. While as a young adult he struggled with these problems, he did not let it stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming an attorney and earning a MBA degree. So, while his account of the hospital patient experience is informative and funny, it is also inspirational for patients and their family members. Mr. Weiss hopes his story can also help develop a guide for hospitals and health care workers as to how it and they should carry out their respective responsibilities.
