An Open Letter to My Loved One's Doctor

[Guest guest]

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.