The bc patient has NO rights! I'm tossed out!

Chelee · 03-03-2007, 11:19 PM

For the ones that have followed my nightmare with my cancer center...they are sending me an official notice to get out. Just because I *wanted* an oncologist to EXAM me is no reason to tell me to go else where. Everything was fine until I wanted to change onc that would actually answer my questions and exam me. Her own progress notes PROVES what I am saying is true! I have to deal with my stage III bc DX...and now worry about how I am going to get treated?

They have offered me to go else where as I have mentioned before but 98 miles round trip is too far. I was already disabled before bc. Plus once I am tossed out I LOSE ALL my doctors here. Which happens to be my onc, surgeon, GYN, pulmonary, Cardiologist, Neurologist, internist & primary doc of 22 yrs ALL because ONE onc doesn't like me now. So NOT only would I have to drive 98 miles round trip for my new onc...but for ALL new doctors out at this same place. I would be *living* on the road as I have so many appts its not funny. I am being punished for filing a grievance to switch onc. (they say they can't retaliate against you for a grievance...the heck they can't.) How can they get AWAY with NOT examing me & denying a 6 month mammo with my bc history?! What happened to the standard of care? Amazing! I'm so upset...all I do is cry. I can't do this anymore.

Its bad enough to live with this bc DX....but now my life is over because I am asking to much for my oncologist to exam me. I guess I can just go away and die...because there is no way I can drive 100 miles to 7 doctors. I don't know why this is happening to me? The power one doctor can have is amazing. I will repeat what I've said before...DON'T ever file a grievance or you WILL be sorry. There is no such thing as patients rights...nor anyone to help you when your treated like this. I wonder if this is HOW my onc would TREAT someone that had bc in HER family!

Chelee

Sheila · 03-04-2007, 05:32 AM

Chelee

It sounds to me like you might get better care and a caring onc. elsewhere....would you be able to make the trips if someone took you? I know the American Cancer Society can arrange for transportation for you if you need it. If that is impossible, contact your Attorney General in your state and file a claim...that might tune them up!

CLTann · 03-04-2007, 06:57 AM

There must be a law to protect patient like you. Again, I wonder whether this support group can intervene on your behalf. Where in California are you living? Sounds like you are in a remote area. I am angry, to say the least.

Ann

Brenda_D · 03-04-2007, 07:06 AM

Sounds to me like it's time to contact the press and your congressman.

Chelee · 03-04-2007, 04:13 PM

Shelia, At this point no matter what happens I would have to go else where because this place *hasn't* given me the standard of care since day one. They promised to do all kinds of things but they NEVER do! So now I imagine the simple mastectomy and ooph I had scheduled won't happen. This HAS to be illegal. I dread ALL the calls I am going to HAVE to make yet again. Plus I will call the ADA also as I feel since I am disabled...I am being discriminated against. There is no way with my history I can travel that far and they SHOULD know it. Its all in my medical records.

I haven't contacted the Attorney General yet. Thanks for that idea. That might get someones attention. I sure appreciate your help Shelia.

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CLTann, I am in a heavy populated area. In Orange County. I do have paper work and documentation now that I did not have before so hopefully I can get help this time? I need to find someone that can intervene on my behalf...because no one on this earth deserves to be treated this way. Obviously they get away with this all the time because people are to sick/ill to deal with this. Which that's how I feel...but there is NO WAY I can just forget this. I did get a big packet of information from the "Cancer Legal Resources Center" yesterday. What GREAT timing. It had a few numbers I have not contacted yet. So I will be very busy on the phone Monday.

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Brenda, Another good idea...I havent' contacted my congressmen yet either...but I really did NOT think they would go this far. Not after all they have done to me and I CAN prove it. I just dread this because all this just sucks the life out of me. The bc fight is enough...then add this to it...its all too much.

Thanks to all of you for caring and your much needed support. I feel so alone at times. I can't thank you guys enough.

Chelee

vickie h · 03-04-2007, 08:44 PM

Chelee, Sometimes things happen that turn our lives around. I have this feeling that your care is going to improve now and that you will feel valuable as a patient and a person to your new Onc. A huge part of healing is to feel good about the doctor you are seeing and feel that you are an equal. I think you should contact your local newspaper (and maybe even the LA Times if you are anywhere in that vicinity), also a call to a local TV station might produce results. It sounds to me like you have a case against not only the Onc but also your HMO for refusing to help you before all this happened. God sends miracles in the most unlikely ways, and this maybe the change you really needed. I am sorry for the mileage you'll have to cover and hopefully there are some organizations there that will be able to assist you with transportation. Just know that God is there with you and everything is going to be just as it should be. My love and prayers are with you. I live in Central California so please let me know what I can do to help you and if you are anywhere near me. Love, Vickie