My Night as an ER Patient - How My Headache May Have Prevented a Stranger's Bone Marrow Transplant

Explore a personal account of an emergency room visit at Stanford Hospital, examining the complex interplay of medical decision-making, patient experience, and healthcare system dynamics. Delve into the narrator's unexpected 7-hour journey as an ER patient, triggered by a severe headache. Analyze the ripple effects of this visit, including its potential impact on another patient's bone marrow transplant. Gain insights into the challenges of diagnostic uncertainty, patient anxiety, unintended consequences of medical interventions, and the financial implications of emergency care. Learn from a medical professional's unique perspective as both a faculty member at Stanford School of Medicine and a patient, offering a balanced view of the healthcare system's strengths and limitations.