Early Detection in the ER [Dennis Micko]

My name is Dennis Micko. I live on Lake Poinsett, my mailing address is actually Estelline, South Dakota. I'm retired, I spent something around 42, 43 years working as a consulting engineer for Banner Associates here in town just down the street. 

What Brought You to the Emergency Department?
 
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease back in '84 and have been under medication for 30 some years. Occasionally it spikes on me, and I had an episode back in September that I toughed it out at home for four or five days having done that numerous times over the 30 years I had the disease. But it just wasn't getting any better and I was going downhill and finally decided I couldn't handle it anymore on my own, so we came into the emergency room. 

Why Were You Admitted to the Hospital?
 
When I got to the ER I was diagnosed as severely dehydrated and acute renal failure. I was kind of a hurting dude at the time, that was the reasoning. I have gone through these spikes a number of times and it is usually maybe two days, maybe three days at the most. After five days I finally figured out that it wasn't going to turn around on my own. 

What Other Issue Did the Care Team Notice on Your Ultrasound?
 
When I first came into the ER, the first test they ran was an ultrasound, and I have no particular knowledge of why they chose to do an ultrasound, what that was attempting to show in terms of what they felt might be the diagnosis. But during that ultrasound apparently they picked up some spots on my liver that became increasingly a concern going forward. 

What Follow-Up Imaging Procedures Did You Receive at Brookings Health System?
 
There was a CAT scan and then a second CAT scan, and I think the second CAT scan was with some intravenous fluid that would highlight the scan more so than the original one. And then ultimately an MRI was recommended to get more detail in terms of the imagery. 

How Did Brookings Health System’s Staff Treat You?

They just treated me so well. And of course it requires intravenous connection and they just handled it so professionlly. Instructions were clear and the gal said we got good pictures, so that was the ultimate result. And I guess the one thing that I observed probably more than anything is just how caring people were here. And that doesn't mean that they weren't caring in other places where I've been, but I particularly noticed it here. 

Why Was Your Crohn’s Disease Episode a Blessing?
 
As it turns out I probably would have never known of the liver spots that were identified had I not had the Crohn's episode. A blessing in disguise I think is a term we've used several times that we found something early that appears like can be treated. Like my wife says, "If we'd waited until you had started having yellow eyes and yellow face, we probably would have been too late to do much of anything." 

What Did You Appreciate Most About Brookings Health System?

The thing that I appreciate most is that it's local. I live out at Lake Poinsett, it's an hour and a half to Sioux Falls, it's a half hour here, and to know that the care I guess in terms of my needs recently were handled here just as well as any of the medical facilities in Sioux Falls. It's just nice to know there's the kind of expertise and care locally.