A Patients Bill Of Rights ! ! !

By Ruthe

My story here is my own personal view of " A patients bill of rights" after many years working in the beauty business I became very ill--- an illness diagnosed as incurable, causing me to lose my livilihood, not only a professional position but my retirement plan was also taken away.

I was devistated to learn of this news and couldn't believe what I was hearing, I'll never again hold a position, and my livilihood Is shattered. The Doctor brought in an Attorney and they together explained to me a disease I had never heard of, telling me that this is rare and Is incurable, known as " Poik-loderm-atroicans " ( one time known as Hodgins Disease ) a chemical poisoning that had entered my vascular system through working with hair cosmetics.

Needless to say--- through the advice from this Attorney a lawsuit was soon to be filed it would be filed through the-- Workers Compensation Law --- a long and strenous fight started with my Company, Doctor, Lawyer and the Government, there were 3 appeals and finally a wonderful Judge heard my complaint and listened very intently to my serious problem, he awarded me my claim, I was given a small settlement from my Company but a Social Security Disability was made retro-active and soon an in-come was coming to me.

I felt very grateful about receiving this much needed in-come but how can I continue living and to know I will never be able to make a living again, I had worked many years and was a very successful business woman but not yet ready to retire. I kept' saying to myself mabbe this Doctor has made a wrong diagnosis here, because after several months I found myself feeling so much better, and I started getting very nervous and anxious with so much time on my hands, a guilt feeling constantly hanging around my neck, the desire to achieve again as I had in my many working years, I still lived with this dreadful disease on my mind and kept' wondering when my death would come, not only knowing it was to come but how will I die --It always was a worry, especially very hard for my children, they are so concerned and this certainly has affected them in many ways.

While going through my many usual physical routines, and different type medical tests, exams every year was needed to detect Leukemia, this is a very uncomfortable test, a bone marrow test they always came back negative--- I kept' thinking mabbe the diagnosis was wrong. After several years I confronted a new Doctor explaining my theory, a disease that was diagnosed many years ago, I asked if blood tests could be taken again to verify this disease, mostly to put my mind at ease, blood was taken several times all tests were made --- there was no signs of this dreadful disease in my blood system. This Doctor proved that my theory was right all along.

This happens to many citizens of our wealthy country, it's devastating to all that have gone through these dreadful times, some have not done so well and have found themselves in poverty, and others had to move to our streets and are still very ill, what a disgrace ! ! !

Though I was blessed, I did lose a prestigious job, and a wonderful retirement in-come, I feel as though this was a lesson to me, my constant worry and a very confusing life brought back to me a gift I had forgotten, while going through these past years with this dark cloud hovering over me and knowing my days were numbered It made me realize what a beautiful life is still out there for we people that have their health, especially in their golden years, I recently celebrated my 80th, birthday--- yet twenty-five years ago I wasn't to live but a short time, because a Doctor I barely knew told me so. All I can say is,-- I'll never be wealthy in money but my excellent health in my golden years will be better than any wealth can ever bring me.

I'm a firm believer that " A patients bill of rights " is necessary, there are too many of us out here that need this, this represents an insurance plan for all Americans, one never knows when an injustice is about to ruin their lives, as it almost did mine. Instead my life was enrichened through a medical error, it brought me a strength that I didn't know existed and that strength gave me my survival. There's many that weren't as lucky, my faith and my prayers were always with me ---- I was blessed ! ! !

Truly yours,

Ruthe