Trust me, I'm a doctor

What a busy week I've had!! And I haven't been able to get online to blog, or do anything else. Bummed, that is what I have been!!! I need to set up my brand new computer-but I haven't had time. Hospital stuff, again; if I stop moving long enough, I swear they will try to dissect me. And, typical of Barts and the London, they would mess that up, too!!

I did get a call from DC Bent on Friday; he was quite abrupt, and told me that the police will take no further action. No witnesses? No CCTV? Too bad, he said (they don't teach policemen to have anything remotely resembling tact), my word against hers, so they will not pursue it any further. He was very clear that he (and the police, and the CPS) are disinterested. Funny, that. No wonder that lawyer told my really sweet Victim Support person that only 30 out of 500 cases went to court. What a clear signal we are sending to the rest of the world: come to Britain, commit as much crime as you want, and you will not be prosecuted. Even a policeman told me that this is the state of British "justice". No wonder people carry guns (unfortunately, the ones who do tend to shoot the ones who don't).

Well-I was very upset on Friday, but I have decided that I cannot (and will not) continue to dwell on this, because all I do is make myself sick over it.

Today I went to the neurology hospital for my last visit. Prakash is gone, of course, but his replacement (the new Prakash) is very nice and very capable. Izzy told me that I am doing all right, but that any vestibular physiotherapist will tell me the same thing: since the mechanism is completely destroyed on both sides, it is unlikely - just about impossible - that I will get any more balance, equilibrium and visual focus back. I need to learn to deal with life the way it is now, not wish for something that won't happen.

Well-perhaps that is true. Then again, perhaps it isn't. My lawyer called me about an hour ago, to let me know that the consultant who reviewed my file - and who has over 40 years' experience in the field of medicine - advised her that the care I was given was woefully inadequate. Even though a lot of the file was conveniently missing, he was able to piece together that the gentamicin levels were not checked, and that treatment should have been stopped when I said I was having a reaction to the antibiotic.

Interesting, eh, what?? Lawsuit here we come. Four consultant specialists have now said the same thing: Barts is culpable. Dr. Not-so-Bright and Dr Grigoriadou are guilty of negligence (and incompetence). I would rather the last 18 months had never happened, of course; I would rather have all my abilities, forget the money. But I don't-and they will have to pay. Through the nose.

What I find most interesting is the attitude of so many doctors: trust me, I'm a doctor, and you aren't, so therefore I know everything and you know nothing. How many people everywhere-not just in Britain, but everywhere-have been crippled or killed by some moron who calls himself (or herself) a doctor? A specialist? Specialist in what, taking your money (or someone else's money) under what amounts to false pretenses?

I've learned many things in 18 months: the value of patience, for instance, not that I have any!! The value of tenacity: never quit, never walk away, never, ever give up. And never trust a doctor!!! Trust me, I'm a doctor, and I know you better than you know yourself, because I have a degree in medicine and you don't-- what kind of medicine? You have a BS? Well, we all know what that means, don't we??

Never take anyone else's word for it, whatever "it"is; always trust your gut, and always research whatever it is anyone wants to do to you, or whatever medicine anyone wants to give you. Due diligence, that is the expression of the day. Research everything - especially the doctor.

I think I now like doctors less than politicians. And I don't trust either of them!!