In September 2017, Dr. Lawrence Mieczkowski, known to his patients as Dr. Mitch, was a picture of health and happiness. That image would soon be shattered by a cascade of medical errors following a routine procedure, leading to permanent organ damage and the end of his decades-long medical career.
A Routine Procedure Turns Critical
Dr. Mieczkowski's ordeal began on a Friday morning in 2017. He and his wife, Joanne, arrived early for his 10-year follow-up colonoscopy with Dr. Smith, a gastroenterologist who was coincidentally retiring that same day. The procedure itself seemed uneventful. Dr. Smith removed one large polyp and several smaller ones, assuring the doctor-turned-patient that nothing looked concerning. Relieved, Mieczkowski went home, thinking the worst was behind him.
By mid-afternoon, however, he experienced severe rectal bleeding. Initially dismissing it as a common post-colonoscopy side effect, the situation rapidly escalated. "There was more blood — a lot more blood," he recalls. Recognizing the danger, he and his wife drove to a nearby hospital emergency room.
Dismissed in the ER: A Failure to Listen
Upon arrival, Dr. Mieczkowski was quickly assessed. He lost nearly 20% of his blood volume into a bedside commode, a clear medical emergency. However, the attending ER physician, Dr. Woods, fixated on one data point: Mieczkowski's deceptively low heart rate of 62, failing to account for the patient's beta-blocker medication that artificially kept the rate down.
Despite Mieczkowski's 40 years of medical experience and his urgent pleas for IV fluids, blood transfusions, and an immediate gastrointestinal consult, Dr. Woods dismissed him. The physician even suggested the anxious patient was overreacting and offered anti-anxiety medication. "You may have more grey hair in your beard than me, but this isn't my first rodeo," Dr. Woods told the deteriorating doctor.
Later, Dr. Smith, the retiring gastroenterologist, visited the ER. He also opted for a "wait and see" approach, postponing a repeat colonoscopy until the next morning. Mieczkowski couldn't help but wonder if the evening's retirement party influenced the decision.
Bleeding Out: A Brush with Death
Transferred to a medical floor hours later, Mieczkowski continued to bleed profusely. Nurses were startled by the volume. Blood and platelets had been ordered but were delayed. As midnight approached, he lost nearly half his total blood volume. A profound sense of calm, an acceptance of death, washed over him. He whispered to his wife, "I'm going to die."
This prompted rapid action from the nursing team, who inserted additional IV lines. They urgently called Dr. James, an on-call GI specialist and a friend of Mieczkowski's. At 1:30 a.m., he was finally taken for an emergency colonoscopy. Dr. James discovered and clipped a bleeding artery at the polyp removal site.
Permanent Consequences and a Shattered Career
The massive blood loss and shock inflicted lasting damage. Mieczkowski was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, stage III kidney failure, and chronic anemia. Despite adjustments to his medications, he could no longer handle the rigors of his medical practice. Advised to pursue disability, he was forced to abruptly close his newly remodeled office, a devastating end to a career he loved.
He sought legal recourse but faced six rejections from malpractice lawyers. Fortunately, his disability insurance provided a financial lifeline. Now, more than five years later, he manages daily heart failure, dietary restrictions, and reduced activity, though his kidney function has somewhat improved.
Lessons from a Physician-Patient
Dr. Mieczkowski's story highlights systemic issues: rushed judgments, failure to synthesize patient history, and a lack of listening. He estimates adverse events occur in 25% of hospital admissions. From his dual perspective as doctor and patient, he offers vital advice for navigating the healthcare system:
- Remain calm but persistent. Yelling can get you labeled a "difficult patient."
- Escalate early. Involve a charge nurse or unit manager if you're not being heard; delays can be life-threatening.
- Consider a transfer. If at a small hospital, push for transfer to a larger centre. Contact the hospital's risk management office if necessary.
- Prepare for appointments. Bring a focused list of concerns and an advocate. Have the medical assistant scan your list into your records.
- Trust your instincts. If pain is severe and not improving, insist on further investigation like an ultrasound.
- Interview your providers. View initial visits as a trial period and don't hesitate to change providers if the fit isn't right.
Dr. Mieczkowski's experience is a stark reminder that even seasoned medical professionals are vulnerable when the system fails. His survival came at a tremendous cost, a outcome he believes should have been easily prevented with timely, attentive care.
