Re: To Lin
From: Bonnie L. (babyblu030@aol.com)
Sat Dec 8 13:18:12 2001
At Fri, 7 Dec 2001, Lin wrote:
>
>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
>
Lin~
I hope you feel better. If you need to talk I am always here for you.
Take it easy OK? I will write again later to see how you are.
Take Care Hon.
Bonnie