[Sherryg683]

I am very upset for you right now. Your doctors have been ignoring your requests and concerns for so long now that I think the time to be patient is over. Take this post for what it's worth considering the source here. I am not the most patient person when it comes to this because to be truthful, all the patience in the world's not going to help you if your dead, you need action or at the very least some clerification of action . So that being said, here's some advise from someone who has found that sometimes raising a little hell does get results.

Down here in my area when we can't get something done, we call "2 On Your Side". It's a local news agency that takes stories that they feel are worthy and confronts the parties involved on camera. Usually gets things done right away. Do you have anything like that in your area. Don't know if it's practical or not but when it's dealing with our lives, I don't mind being impractical. Another thought, take out an ad in your local newspaper stating how you've been treated and name your doctor by name. I know this may sound insane but you know what I would probably do, I'd take out an add in the obituaries with my picture on it saying "this will be me shortly if .......(then tell your story in a calm, intelligent manner). I guarantee you they would read it or someone would point it out to them. You may even draw the attention of someone who could be in the position of helping you. Would be making a point, although in a twisted sort of way. And no, I haven't gone completely mad, I think a little bit of public embarassment felt on their part could go a long way, and woudn't be good for their business, which is their main concern afterall. You can tell I am typing while thinking here.

I do think the others have given you good advise though, about who to call and be sure to document things and to take some deep breaths. I'm sure you can find some lawers that will help you with this, you just have to call the right ones. Maybe injury lawyers or such.

My brother went to the same cancer center I did when he was very ill, although he had a different doctor. I remember him being given the run around by the center, this was a young man in his last stages of melanoma. The research assistant would tell him she was looking for something for him and would call him that day, he would wait by the phone and not hear from her. His doctor seemed to turn over everything to her. This went on and on for weeks and weeks. I finally went in and saw my doctor who is in the same practice and told him what was going on and that this was just plain cruel. That I was not going to just stand by and watch my brother die while they jerked him around. I asked him if he would step in and do something. That afternoon my brother got a call from the research assistant and the process went a little smoother, they at least returned his calls and got him into MD Anderson. I thanked my doctor when I saw him and he said "I knew I better do something before you went all bullistic down here". I once went into the cancer center where I go to and there was this little old lady who you could tell was very sick. She was raising all sorts of hell right there in the middle where everyone was waiting. She was complaining about how her calls were not being returned and how she was being jerked around. I think every patient in the clinic was rooting for her because we had all been given the same treatment at times and understood. Needless to say, her doctor saw her immediately and I would bet returned her phone calls thereafter, they didn't want her back in their lobby again. We should not have to act this way when we are fighting for our life. I don't believe these doctors want you or any of us to die. The sad truth is, that many doctors and staff have learned to desensitize themselves, so that they don't mentally burnout. I watched my poor sick brother sitting patiently while these jerks didn't seem to give a damn. I love my oncologist, he has never refused me anything I have asked and we have a great relationship. He also knows that I am one that would not stand by and be cast aside quietly. No, we shouldn't have to raise hell when we are already going through it, but sometimes we have to. I say get that attorney, call those numbers given to you and if it gets to be too much stress on you, ask that hubby of yours to step in and go to bat for you. If I were in your area, I'd be happy to get a sign with your doctors name on it in big letters and let everyone know what kind of treatment you were getting.

HERE'S AN IDEA FOR STARTERS., maybe you should give us your doctor and clinics email address, so that everyone on this board can drop him a little note saying how important to us you are and that we hope he is doing everything possible to take care of you..nothing mean...just let him know you do have people that care and is concerned about your treatment. That you have family here that is watching and keeping an eye on what they are doing for you. I'd be glad to send my email immediately. Maybe even back that up with some nice cards of concern mailed to them at the clinic...as I said..nothing mean or threatning in any way...just letting them know how important you are...remind them of this.

I know my ideas may be a little outside the box here, but sometimes you have to go outside that box to get noticed. luv you
sherry