Re: To Lin
From: Bonnie L. (babyblu030@aol.com)
Fri Dec 7 11:35:29 2001
At Fri, 7 Dec 2001, Lin wrote:
>
>Dear Bonnie,
>
>Tonight as we were driving into town John and I were talking about your
>predicament - and John made a suggestion - you don't have to do it,
>unless you feel like it - but John and I did it when we were in the same
>situation - and we got some good results out of it.
>
>Our suggestion is that you write down everything that happened when you
>went to the ER with your friend, exactly what happened - in as much
>detail as you can. It will be helpful if you can remember the names of
>the doctors and nurses who treated you with such disregard. Then get
>your friend to sign it as your witness and either have it delivered or
>posted to the hospital's management - find out who the General Manager
>is - and so file an official complaint.
>
>You don't have much to lose, they can't treat you any worse than they
>already do.
>
>After John had personally delivered our formal complaint the hospital
>acted very quickly and arranged a meeting within a couple of days
>between us, the surgical doctor, the pain specialist, the pain
>psychologist and the charge nurse of the ward I was in, as well as our
>support people - friends of ours - who helped to back us up. We also
>had someone there from the Health and Disability Advocacy there. Maybe
>you can find out if there is such an organisation where you live - they
>provide support in matters of Patient Rights - and the gentleman who was
>at our meeting from this organisation made some very good suggestions
>and criticisms to the hospital. We worked out a long term plan, which
>is still in effect.
>
>John said to remember that it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease!
>
>Also he said that if people were to treat cows as they do us chronic
>pain patients that they would end up being prosecuted by the RSPCA!
>
>We should not let people walk all over us anymore, we need to stand up
>for our rights. I know that is difficult to do when we're feeling
>absolutely terrible, but if we don't things will never change!
>
>Be brave,
>
>Love
>
>--
>Lin
>
Lin~
You are right. There have been to many times that I have been
mistreated by Physicians. It is amazing how these doctors know so
little about Adhesions and Chronic Pain. I thank the Lord every day
that I have found a Physician who is caring and respectfull of my
problem. I told him yesterday that I don't know where I would be if I
didn't have a doctor like him. I also told him from know on I am not
going to go to ER anymore. I will go see him, no matter how long I have
to wait. There have been so many times that I lie in bed crying because
of the way I have been treated by some so called health care providers.
I cannot understand how they can get away with treating people in our
situation so cruely. I have to chalk it up to lack of knowledge.
Hopefully some day these doctors will have the knowledge about adhesions
and begin to treat us effectively, but until that glorious day, we have
to fight for our patient rights, to be treated fairly, and to be taken
seriously.
You are lucky to have such a caring husband. He sounds like such a gem.
I don't mind you talking with him about me. I need all the advice I can
get. i hope someday my family can learn to realize that my pain is real
and maybe even try to help me. It's funny every time I try to talk with
my mom she changes the subject. I have no idea why. She is a nurse and
sometimes I need her advise, even moral support, but I don't always get
it. That is why I thank God for this board, and for people like you. If
there is anything that I can ever do for you , please don't hesitate to
ask. You are a very caring person, and I thank you so much for your
help and advise through my time of need.
((((hugs))))))
Bonnie