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Date Posted: 09:37:45 08/06/00 Sun
Author: Cheryl
Subject: I wrote the doc a letter...

Background to the newest report:

I had an MRI on 6/14. On 6/20, Dr. Neuro's office called and wanted me to come in the next day to go over the results. I told his assistant I couldn't, that I had just started a new job and felt that taking time off during my probationary period would not be wise. I asked if he could just tell me the results over the phone. She argued but finally got him on the phone. He told me that the radiologist was suspicious of M.S. and that he needed to see me. So, based on that statement, I arranged to go see him on 6/28, taking time off from work.

When I got to his office on 6/28, his tune had changed. He said that when he had called me, he didn't have my file in front of him and (blah-blah-blah, I don't remember his execuse) that he wanted to wait another 6 months and re-do the MRI. I asked why? Get my MRI films and medical records from my prior neuro. I gave him my prior neuro's business card. He took it without comment and did not have me sign an authorization for Dr. Prior Neuro to release my records to Dr. Current Neuro.

Last week, my symptoms worsened. I sent Dr. Current Neuro a letter. I discussed cognitive impairments and provided him with a list of 16 symptoms, two of which were new and one which was a recurrence from 20 years ago. In closing, I told him that I was not blaming him. I was just at the end of 8 long, miserable years of no diagnosis and no treatment and that I really needed him to put on his investigative hat and find out what is wrong. The letter was very focused, thought-out, expressive and communicated where I was at and what my expectations are from him. I also provided him a signed Authorization to Release Medical Records and requested him to obtain my records from Dr. Prior Neuro.

The next day Dr. Current Neuro's assistant called me. She accused me of not wanting to come in for my follow-up appointment after the MRI. She also accused me of not going for scheduled tests. My reaction: WHAT!?!?!?!? Never in my life has a doctor's assistant EVER made statements like that!

So I called her back. I told her there was a misunderstanding. I reminded her of our conversation, wherein I did not want to come in for a follow-up after the MRI if it could be done by phone since I was new at my job and did not want to jepardize it. I further informed her that when I did come in on 6/28, Dr. Neuro not only reversed what he had told me on the phone about suspected M.S., but decided not to go forward with the LP and, instead, wait 6 months and re-do the MRI. (Note, if he had really ordered the LP after my 6/28 visit as she insisted, why did she not call me and tell me that she had arranged it?)

So then her tone softened a little and she informed me that she had told Dr. Neuro that I "was just upset, just venting." (Venting is a rather loose word, with negative connotations that imply out-of-control extemporaneous emotional reaction, which is not what my letter was. Boy does she know how to score points.)

So now Dr. Neuro wants to have an LP done based on "worsening symptoms." (Of course, one of the more senior docs probably read my letter and read l-e-g-a-l l-i-a-b-i-l-i-t-y between the lines.)

So, Ms. Assistant called me several days later and tells me my LP is scheduled for August 10th at 8:45 p.m. But she doesn't tell me where. So I call her back. Haven't heard back from her yet. I will probably have to reschedule it anyway because of work requirements this week.

But, tell me, why must sick people be subjected to such degradation?

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