Man Undergoes Surgery Without Proper Anesthesia and Commits Suicide as a Result

Sherman Sizemore underwent exploratory surgery for abdominal pain and was not given anesthesia correctly; he felt extreme pain as they cut him open and performed the procedure. After two weeks of nightmares, unable to sleep, experiences of feeling like he was buried alive, extreme trauma and suicidal thoughts, he took his own life to get away from the suffering.

Anesthesia awareness is something that is not very well known but it is estimated that between 20,000-40,000 patients suffer from this medical mistake each year. They go through their surgical experience without proper anesthesia and as a result feel extreme amounts of pain, pulling, pressure but yet they cannot call out for help and are often unsure of what exactly is going on.

Sizemore was admitted to the hospital with stomach pains, which his family now says were a result of a gall bladder condition. Surgery started and he didn't receive anesthesia until 16 minutes after the first incision was made. He was awake during the procedure but not able to express his discomfort. He suffered extreme pain and was not sure if it was in his head or reality as he wasn't told at the time that he wasn't prepped properly for pain. He was given medication to control his muscle movements which resulted in temporarily paralyzing him during surgery. This was why he wasn't able to move and signal for help.

Sherman Sizemore was a 73 year old Baptist Minister from West Virginia. He also worked as a coal minor years ago. His daughters have filed a lawsuit against Raleigh Anesthesia Associates claiming they made errors in providing pain relief during the surgical procedure and didn't notify their father or the mistake.

As a result he suffered sever pain and trauma and was not even sure if his memories were real or part of his imagination. The incidence caused him to be unstable enough to shoot himself in the head only two weeks after being discharged from the hospital. Prior to the surgery, Sizemore did not have any mental or emotional problems that would cause him to become suicidal.

Studies show that problems similar to what happened during surgery for Sizemore occur in 0.1-.2% of procedures involving general anesthesia. While it sounds like a small number, the amount of patients who undergo surgery each year is high and those who suffer from anesthesia awareness often have psychological side effects as well.

This is the first time however where a suicide has been reported as a result of feeling pain during surgery. It has brought up the issue to those who weren't aware that it occurs. There is an Anesthesia Awareness organization founded by Carol Weihrer who also suffered during a surgery and hopes to inform others and provide support for those who have similar experiences.

Sources:

Tom Breen. "Lawsuit: Wide awake surgery led to death" Newsday

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