Jim, Your experience is why I avoid hospitals at all costs. For some time, I've had progressively worrisome cardiac issues that will at some point require repair. In the interim, I shall continue with 'managed care' (my own!) with a prescription that has worked well thus far - measured infusions of single malt 'medicine' :) Years ago, I was treated in the ER by a doctor, who after poking me in the stomach while I sat in my wheelchair,diagnosed 'indigestion'. She then asked me what cerebral palsy is! I wasn't long leaving AMA and filing a complaint with the chief of ER Med Services, then calling my own doc at home who arranged further consults. I was later found to have Grade Two (two holes in the valve) Aortic Insufficiency. It is that GTAI which is 'seeming' to be the culprit with current problems, though I suspect that spinal stenosis has entered into the mix and is the prime mover of the ticker trouble. As well, my father (a physician) on more than one occasion, told me to never, ever let a surgeon near my back, no matter what was/might be offered in terms of relief. Those words resound! Just a few days ago, I was met here at my home by an OT for a wheelchair fitting (I use a chair only for mall outings to reduce spine stress and combat fatigue). The OT commented that I had 'perfect' sitting posture. Again, it's something I work at in aid of ensuring that things don't get too far off track with regard to maintaining status quo. Your experience, as horrendous as it was, must be a lesson to all of us as we age with cerebral palsy. Wishing you steady recovery. Best! Carla http://users.xplornet.com/~terrier There is a destiny that makes us brothers; None goes his way alone; All that we send into the lives of others Comes back into our own [Edwin Markham] ----------------------- To change your mail settings or leave the C-PALSY list, go here: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?SUBED1=c-palsy