Re: An Open Letter to My Loved One's Doctor

[Guest guest]

This is the type of letter that could be seen in papers or magazines like

Readers Digest. Could you send this to the media to print? It's very powerful,

very moving, and unfortunately VERY TRUE...

Similar thing happened to my mom w/ meds... and many people here on this

board... I feel for you...

>

>

> Dear Doctor:

>

> My loved one was brought to your hospital because of a fall. During the

> course of his examination you discovered that he had walking pneumonia

> and admitted him to the hospital. Because he has lewy Body Dementia he

> is easily confused and agitated and unable to speak for himself, although he

> certainly can talk.

>

> I specifically told you he had sensitivity to certain medications and it is

clearly indicated in his medical records none the less your first instinct was

to reach for the Haldol. Thank goodness I was able to prevent this. It didn't

stop you from coming back and administering another equally as bad medication

in a sneaky manner and before I could stop you. Did it?

>

> Thanks to your actions, yes, this is specifically traceable back to those

careless actions you took during those first few critical hours. my loved one,

who only a few days ago was able to dress himself, feed himself, and care for

his own personal hygiene is in hospice.

>

> You tell me he is old and weak and not strong enough to fight any more. He

was certainly strong enough to fight you off when you first tried to administer

those drugs, wasn't he?! At least he was until you increased the dosage to the

point where he could no longer resist the drug's effects. Not strong enough?

Well, for some one so weak he sure put up a valiant effort didn't he?

>

> By the way, doctor, those same medications cause irregular heart beats and

other medical complications as well undoubtedly you are treating him for those

now too.

>

> I am weak and weary and unable to fight you. I have no standing or power of

attorney, only the heartache of seeing a life we both built together over 30

years come crashing down because of your arrogance and ineptitude.

>

> I am writing this letter not to harass or indict you but as a warning to

others. It is difficult enough to surrender the care of someone you love to

strangers in an hour of need, but actions such as yours serve as a real threat

and deterrent to those who would seek medical help for their loved ones in an

emergency. It's always hard to make that decision but it's made all the more

difficult because of horror stories like mine

>

> Do me a favor doctor and take down all those posters you have plastered all

over the hospital. The ones that ask patients and their advocates to speak up if

they have concerns about their care. Because of you and people like you, those

posters are meaningless.

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, this letter is so wonderful in that it says so clearly what all too often

happens when a fan=mily member with LBD goes in the hospital. My hat is off to

you. Well done. Nan

>

>

> Dear Doctor:

>

> My loved one was brought to your hospital because of a fall. During the

> course of his examination you discovered that he had walking pneumonia

> and admitted him to the hospital. Because he has lewy Body Dementia he

> is easily confused and agitated and unable to speak for himself, although he

> certainly can talk.

>

> I specifically told you he had sensitivity to certain medications and it is

clearly indicated in his medical records none the less your first instinct was

to reach for the Haldol. Thank goodness I was able to prevent this. It didn't

stop you from coming back and administering another equally as bad medication

in a sneaky manner and before I could stop you. Did it?

>

> Thanks to your actions, yes, this is specifically traceable back to those

careless actions you took during those first few critical hours. my loved one,

who only a few days ago was able to dress himself, feed himself, and care for

his own personal hygiene is in hospice.

>

> You tell me he is old and weak and not strong enough to fight any more. He

was certainly strong enough to fight you off when you first tried to administer

those drugs, wasn't he?! At least he was until you increased the dosage to the

point where he could no longer resist the drug's effects. Not strong enough?

Well, for some one so weak he sure put up a valiant effort didn't he?

>

> By the way, doctor, those same medications cause irregular heart beats and

other medical complications as well undoubtedly you are treating him for those

now too.

>

> I am weak and weary and unable to fight you. I have no standing or power of

attorney, only the heartache of seeing a life we both built together over 30

years come crashing down because of your arrogance and ineptitude.

>

> I am writing this letter not to harass or indict you but as a warning to

others. It is difficult enough to surrender the care of someone you love to

strangers in an hour of need, but actions such as yours serve as a real threat

and deterrent to those who would seek medical help for their loved ones in an

emergency. It's always hard to make that decision but it's made all the more

difficult because of horror stories like mine

>

> Do me a favor doctor and take down all those posters you have plastered all

over the hospital. The ones that ask patients and their advocates to speak up if

they have concerns about their care. Because of you and people like you, those

posters are meaningless.

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with , the media should see the concerns the family has to deal

with your loved one.  Even if your loved one is old and tired, this does not

give the medical profession the right make the final judgements.  Did the

doctor

know your loved one before the accident?

________________________________

To: LBDcaregivers

Sent: Fri, April 1, 2011 5:23:49 AM

Subject: An Open Letter to My Loved One's Doctor

 

Dear Doctor:

My loved one was brought to your hospital because of a fall. During the

course of his examination you discovered that he had walking pneumonia

and admitted him to the hospital. Because he has lewy Body Dementia he

is easily confused and agitated and unable to speak for himself, although he

certainly can talk.

I specifically told you he had sensitivity to certain medications and it is

clearly indicated in his medical records none the less your first instinct was

to reach for the Haldol. Thank goodness I was able to prevent this. It didn't

stop you from coming back and administering another equally as bad medication in

a sneaky manner and before I could stop you. Did it?

Thanks to your actions, yes, this is specifically traceable back to those

careless actions you took during those first few critical hours. my loved one,

who only a few days ago was able to dress himself, feed himself, and care for

his own personal hygiene is in hospice.

You tell me he is old and weak and not strong enough to fight any more. He was

certainly strong enough to fight you off when you first tried to administer

those drugs, wasn't he?! At least he was until you increased the dosage to the

point where he could no longer resist the drug's effects. Not strong enough?

Well, for some one so weak he sure put up a valiant effort didn't he?

By the way, doctor, those same medications cause irregular heart beats and other

medical complications as well undoubtedly you are treating him for those now

too.

I am weak and weary and unable to fight you. I have no standing or power of

attorney, only the heartache of seeing a life we both built together over 30

years come crashing down because of your arrogance and ineptitude.

I am writing this letter not to harass or indict you but as a warning to others.

It is difficult enough to surrender the care of someone you love to strangers in

an hour of need, but actions such as yours serve as a real threat and deterrent

to those who would seek medical help for their loved ones in an emergency. It's

always hard to make that decision but it's made all the more difficult because

of horror stories like mine

Do me a favor doctor and take down all those posters you have plastered all over

the hospital. The ones that ask patients and their advocates to speak up if they

have concerns about their care. Because of you and people like you, those

posters are meaningless.

[Guest guest]

This is very powerful. One take-away message for me is that we all need to have

a healthcare proxy identified in writing and we need to give lots of thought to

that decision. I would hope that if " railfan " had been identified as the POA

that this wouldn't have happened.

>

>

> Dear Doctor:

>

....

> I am weak and weary and unable to fight you. I have no standing or power of

attorney, only the heartache of seeing a life we both built together over 30

years come crashing down because of your arrogance and ineptitude.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I submitted my letter to Dear Abby,

thinking that might have the biggest, quickest exposure. In my message to her I

wrote that I left the letter unsigned because I thought so many people were

going through the same thing I was.

I had no idea who had POA until he suffered the emergency which unmasked his LBD

and his sister waved it in my face like a shield. That's not a dig on his

sister, it's just the way it happened. I've talked to him about changing it a

few times but have always been afraid that that would seem like I'm manipulating

him.

For all those who may be in the early stages of LBD, or know someone who is,

Please make sure that the person you appoint as POA has intimate knowledge of

your daily existence, your likes or dislikes. Some one who sees you once in a

blue moon should not be calling the shots when things become critical.

> >

> >

> > Dear Doctor:

> >

> ...

> > I am weak and weary and unable to fight you. I have no standing or power of

attorney, only the heartache of seeing a life we both built together over 30

years come crashing down because of your arrogance and ineptitude.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately this can happen even with Healthcare POA. My father was sent to

the ED a few months ago with sharp pain in his shoulder and back along with a

low fever. The doc ended up sending him to a cardiac ICU for obervation while

they tested further based on labwork in the ED. I had the nurse put a note I had

made in the chart to say no new antipsychotics (he gets Seroquel at night)

without contacting me first, and included the list of bad meds from this site.

The next morning he was unresponsive when we arrived and stayed that way for

several hours. Upon investigation, they had given him his once a day Seroquel in

the morning instead of evening, and when he acted out at night CICU protocol

allowed nurses to give nitroglycerine, morphine and ativan if the patient was

experiencing chest pain. A nurse interpreted his REM behavior as possible chest

pain...Thankfully, he emerged from the effects the second evening and we were

able to get him discharged back to home. We are avoiding the hospital at all

costs these days, have him on Palliative Care program since he's not at the

point of Hospice yet,

[Guest guest]

passed away this morning probably from the drugs. I was forbidden from

entering the hospital because my outburst on monday. He died alone.

>

> Unfortunately this can happen even with Healthcare POA. My father was sent to

the ED a few months ago with sharp pain in his shoulder and back along with a

low fever. The doc ended up sending him to a cardiac ICU for obervation while

they tested further based on labwork in the ED. I had the nurse put a note I had

made in the chart to say no new antipsychotics (he gets Seroquel at night)

without contacting me first, and included the list of bad meds from this site.

The next morning he was unresponsive when we arrived and stayed that way for

several hours. Upon investigation, they had given him his once a day Seroquel in

the morning instead of evening, and when he acted out at night CICU protocol

allowed nurses to give nitroglycerine, morphine and ativan if the patient was

experiencing chest pain. A nurse interpreted his REM behavior as possible chest

pain...Thankfully, he emerged from the effects the second evening and we were

able to get him discharged back to home. We are avoiding the hospital at all

costs these days, have him on Palliative Care program since he's not at the

point of Hospice yet,

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Rick - I'm soooooooo sorry to hear this happened to . There are no words

that can express the pain I feel for you. I'm in shock over your loss right now.

He did not deserve this, you did not deserve this. You did not do this. Please

know that knows this too.

> >

> > Unfortunately this can happen even with Healthcare POA. My father was sent

to the ED a few months ago with sharp pain in his shoulder and back along with a

low fever. The doc ended up sending him to a cardiac ICU for obervation while

they tested further based on labwork in the ED. I had the nurse put a note I had

made in the chart to say no new antipsychotics (he gets Seroquel at night)

without contacting me first, and included the list of bad meds from this site.

The next morning he was unresponsive when we arrived and stayed that way for

several hours. Upon investigation, they had given him his once a day Seroquel in

the morning instead of evening, and when he acted out at night CICU protocol

allowed nurses to give nitroglycerine, morphine and ativan if the patient was

experiencing chest pain. A nurse interpreted his REM behavior as possible chest

pain...Thankfully, he emerged from the effects the second evening and we were

able to get him discharged back to home. We are avoiding the hospital at all

costs these days, have him on Palliative Care program since he's not at the

point of Hospice yet,

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one, and you have my ire

at the way you were treated. Nan

> >

> > Unfortunately this can happen even with Healthcare POA. My father was sent

to the ED a few months ago with sharp pain in his shoulder and back along with a

low fever. The doc ended up sending him to a cardiac ICU for obervation while

they tested further based on labwork in the ED. I had the nurse put a note I had

made in the chart to say no new antipsychotics (he gets Seroquel at night)

without contacting me first, and included the list of bad meds from this site.

The next morning he was unresponsive when we arrived and stayed that way for

several hours. Upon investigation, they had given him his once a day Seroquel in

the morning instead of evening, and when he acted out at night CICU protocol

allowed nurses to give nitroglycerine, morphine and ativan if the patient was

experiencing chest pain. A nurse interpreted his REM behavior as possible chest

pain...Thankfully, he emerged from the effects the second evening and we were

able to get him discharged back to home. We are avoiding the hospital at all

costs these days, have him on Palliative Care program since he's not at the

point of Hospice yet,

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

My deepest condolences on your sad and painful loss.

>

> passed away this morning probably from the drugs. I was forbidden from

entering the hospital because my outburst on monday. He died alone.

>

[Guest guest]

I am stunned and saddened to read this. My deepest condolences to you.

Sincerely,

Helene in NY

> >

> > Unfortunately this can happen even with Healthcare POA. My father was sent

to the ED a few months ago with sharp pain in his shoulder and back along with a

low fever. The doc ended up sending him to a cardiac ICU for obervation while

they tested further based on labwork in the ED. I had the nurse put a note I had

made in the chart to say no new antipsychotics (he gets Seroquel at night)

without contacting me first, and included the list of bad meds from this site.

The next morning he was unresponsive when we arrived and stayed that way for

several hours. Upon investigation, they had given him his once a day Seroquel in

the morning instead of evening, and when he acted out at night CICU protocol

allowed nurses to give nitroglycerine, morphine and ativan if the patient was

experiencing chest pain. A nurse interpreted his REM behavior as possible chest

pain...Thankfully, he emerged from the effects the second evening and we were

able to get him discharged back to home. We are avoiding the hospital at all

costs these days, have him on Palliative Care program since he's not at the

point of Hospice yet,

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

It is unbelievable what you and your loved one were forced to endure, leading to

his quick demise. Words seem meaningless in comparison to your suffering and

such blatant malpractice. I am very sorry for your loss.

> >

> > Unfortunately this can happen even with Healthcare POA. My father was sent

to the ED a few months ago with sharp pain in his shoulder and back along with a

low fever. The doc ended up sending him to a cardiac ICU for obervation while

they tested further based on labwork in the ED. I had the nurse put a note I had

made in the chart to say no new antipsychotics (he gets Seroquel at night)

without contacting me first, and included the list of bad meds from this site.

The next morning he was unresponsive when we arrived and stayed that way for

several hours. Upon investigation, they had given him his once a day Seroquel in

the morning instead of evening, and when he acted out at night CICU protocol

allowed nurses to give nitroglycerine, morphine and ativan if the patient was

experiencing chest pain. A nurse interpreted his REM behavior as possible chest

pain...Thankfully, he emerged from the effects the second evening and we were

able to get him discharged back to home. We are avoiding the hospital at all

costs these days, have him on Palliative Care program since he's not at the

point of Hospice yet,

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

This is sad news. I hope like others that they realize the error of their

ways. I am not a lawsuit-happy person but perhaps you should look into

something in this case. Its not like you did not tell them of the danger

from new medicines. In the days ahead I hope you somehow find some peace

from the fact he is no longer suffering. Our prayers and thoughts are with

you. Leona

'Love is not finding someone to live with; it's finding someone you don't

want to live without.'