The purpose of this letter is an encouragement to trust your judgement and not hesitate to question or verbalize your thoughts. You are the consumer, the keeper of your body and have the right to seek appropriate care.
My husband felt ill with chest cold symptoms and was treated locally with an antibiotic. We were told no pneumonia was detected but to return in 48 hours if the low-grade temperature continued. Upon returning, the second health care provider advised allowing the medication more time, lungs were clear and the fever with weight loss were not concerning. I requested a chest X-ray with labs and perceived being asked what type of blood work did I want as condescending.
A chest CT scan was ordered on the basis of those tests. Although the appropriate HIPPA form was signed, I had difficulty obtaining the test results. We then assumed the CAT scan was normal when not hearing otherwise; someone neglected a phone call.
Several days later a doctor informed us, "the good news is that you do not have pneumonia or cancer." My husband was on day 16 of a mild fever with a 15-pound weight loss and was told he looked rather healthy. I moved forward in a chair while expressing my concern with weakness and was told to just sit back. The doctor was in and out of the room three times and then gave us an appointment date with an internist.
Test results were gathered at my request because we were immediately going to Goshen Hospital. The doctor questioned our decision due to the increased gas prices. Insurance was billed $140 for that visit and the internist's office later rescheduled into the following week.
The Goshen ER physician reviewed the tests and immediately told us he thought my husband had cancer. We quickly learned that there were blood clots in his lungs and a mold infection, a staph blood infection, electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood enzymes and yes, pneumonia and cancer in the lungs and chest. Immediate treatment was implemented in the emergency department prior to admission to the oncology unit.
My husband has received the utmost quality of care. The delay in this care will not effect treatment but quite possibly greatly decreased his strength for the battle ahead. The blood clots could have been his demise. We were told he had been at death's door upon admission to the hospital.
The frightening aspect of the experience is two-fold; the diagnosis in itself and then the inability to properly diagnose while displaying such a dismissive attitude. How can three healthcare professionals examine him and the CT's impression not warrant further investigation? (Insurance was billed more than $2,000 for the text.)
I have been a registered nurse for 30 years and grateful to have been persistent in pursuing care. I shutter to wonder of the compliant patient going home and back to be trusting he was not ill.
