Re: To Lin
From: Lin (j.vermey@xtra.co.nz)
Fri Dec 7 19:51:10 2001
At Fri, 7 Dec 2001, Bonnie L. wrote:
>
>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
You're welcome Bonnie,
I'm glad at least I can be your friend, even though there is not a lot I
can do for you - except keeping talking to you.
It is hard, isn't it? When your family don't understand, when they don't
even want to try. Mine are the same. It hursts deeply. Yesterday I
was talking to my mother and she had all kinds of stupid advice for me -
as to what I should be doing - and naming all the 'foods' which in her
opinion are 'good' for me - every single item she mentioned I can not
eat - I've had these problems for the last 11 years - and still she does
not get it!
I'm also praying that health professionals will one day understand the
dilemma we're in - and the pain it causes! I'd like it to be soon - but
won't hold my breath.
I'm not feeling too good at the moment - so I have to stop typing - I'll
be back in a little while - I think I have to be sick....
--
Lin