trust doctors - here's a rant

Talk to an attorney
I think you have a good malpractice suit, I would talk to an attorney, but thats just me...

Sorry this happened, and I hear ya about the trust thing. I do have to say I was lucky with my ONC, GI and PC doctors, however since I have moved to Texas I am not liking the practice of my new ONC, I like him, but I was supposed to have my 3 month scans in September, but no one called to set it up, so now I am calling them saying WTF??? I should have called earlier but with the loss of our son, things have been so crazy this month.

Anyway didnt meant to ramble..WIll keep you in my prayers..

HUGS
Beth

Some Good Reasons...
First, Lou - you gotta' trust somebody. When you feel things are going south and on more than once occasion, it is at that time, that it's time to pack up your marbles and find someone else. The next medical team could be the one you are looking for.

I say this as I stayed with my original clinic too long - many mistakes were made at my expense. In retrospect, I was lucky to walk away from there and live to fight another day.

I went to a teaching hospital that is highly regarded in my area. They have the latest equipment (no breakdowns like at the other place) and they are schooled and up to date on the latest thing going.

You combine that with you yourself getting just enough of an education to be able to talk to the doctors on a level playing field - and your health chances increase substantially. Once you can talk the talk with them, they realize you are in the know and your dicussions will be more beneficial and your options get better - you take your own medical care by the horns and hire yourself as your own advocate.


It's been 14 months since I walked away - I have not looked back! I regret that I stayed too long but we can't look back for long, we must look ahead. I've applied what I've learned and can talk to any doctor or surgeon on a level where they understand that I am nobody's fool and we are going to discuss it.

For your port, find yourself a good VASCULAR surgeon...they will be able to use their expertise and put that thing in nicely for you and it will work for you with no problems. Sometimes, you just have to assemble your own team, like I have. You're the coach and it's your life, do just do some homework and meet with them - you'll know what to do.

Don't just trust your care to the folks you've been using - once they demonstrate enough mistakes, that is the norm over the exception and you've got the right to walk and pursue better care - and you owe that to yourself to do just that.

You won't be sorry. Listening to your story echoed many things I went through in the old days. Gather other opinion and find yourself a hospital with up to date equipment - the machines really do make a difference in your care - I've learned that first hand as well.

Stay strong, Lou - engage your resources, assess your situation, and then be prepared to move wherever you need to.

Good luck!

P.S. I had a classic malpractice suit as well - and called ten different attornies. I was told I had a case, but was not "Economically Viable." The cap for lawsuits is $250,000 against medical malpractice here in Texas, so it's not worth it for the law firms to represent you. Might be different in your state.

I got the same answer 10 different times and decided to invest my energies into fighting and surviving. So, I let it go and redirected my energies.

-Craig

LOUSWIFT said:

lawyers
I've deal with them most of my adult life. I was a cop until I retired and Union president for many years during that. Lawyers are the only group of people who get paid to lie and take a moral high ground like it a divine calling. Before I retired I was a key witness in a sexual harassment case for a female officer. I was a sergeant at the time. One of the department's lawyers came to me and informed me that unless I became a "team player" the department would fire me on unrelated causes of course and I would lose health care to fight cancer. So I would face financial ruin or die. Real nice after nearly 30 years of service and doing the right thing. I grabbed a reduced pension and locked in health care before they could stop me. I testified for her and they had to write her a check. Who won? The lawyers always win. In my case too the lawyers didn't see enough profit in suing the police because I would run out of money before the tax payers did and time diminishes profit for attorneys. Yet attorneys fight for justice for their clients...I saw that on a bumper sticker.

good advice
Craig had really good advice find someone else. The most important thing is listen to your gut! YOur gut never lies it always knows when something just doesn't seem right. Question Question Question if they don't want to answer find someone else. Good machines do make a difference. Follow your gut!Laura