I usually don't make New Years Resolutions, because I normally don't keep them as I set my standards too high --- (you know, lose weight, stop smoking -- blah)
But this year, I have two:
1. Write at least one hour (or more) a day -- five days a week.
2. Swim everyday, when schedule permits -- unless it's raining.
I have started (and then trashed the whole thing) and restarted writing a memoir. I know many readers here have suggested I turn this blog into a book, but this memoir will be a bit different than this blog.
Though some parts of the blog will be included and I want to include Bob's drawings in the book.
But basically, the focus of this memoir will be the medical mistakes that ultimately ended Bob's life. And the lawsuit. Stuff I couldn't really blog about (the inside scoop, as it were) while the lawsuit was in process -- (and, yes, I signed a "confidentiality" agreement, but the "confidentiality" applies only to the settlement amount, I made sure of this with my lawyer -- though, I am thinking, names will have to be changed to "protect the guilty").
It has come to my attention, through my research in preparing to write this memoir, that "medical errors" are the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States. Right after heart disease and cancer. A statistic that I didn't believe at first, didn't seem possible, but found (after much research) to be true. Various studies show that between 210,000 up to 444,000 patients die each year from preventable medical errors in the USA and these numbers could easily be higher due to undocumented cases and cover-ups. The AMA, of course, doesn't include "medical errors" in its list of leading causes of death -- wonder why? hmmmm
I believe the world needs to know not only these facts, but also the poor quality of our health care system and how difficult it is to even find an attorney because of legislation that has passed in many states capping monetary settlements, and how vehemently victims are persecuted and re-victimized (by insurance companies & defense lawyers) when they do find an attorney and pursue a lawsuit, and lastly, how incompetent and/or negligent health providers are never held accountable for their acts even after a lawsuit is settled and/or won by the injured party. In fact, most health care providers continue to practice, they do not lose their license to practice medicine, and perhaps their next "medical error" will happen to you or someone you love.
It will be a time-consuming project, and for sure a difficult and emotional project for me, but I feel the time is right for me to begin. And surely, will take more than one year.
But as this will a memoir, a personal story about Bob and what happened to him (and me), my hope is that it will be the type of book to inspire people not only to pursue their own lawsuits, but to perhaps change "torte reform" laws that damage the victims of medical errors and their families, to take away the stigma of those who file malpractice lawsuits, debunk the myth that there are "frivolous malpractice lawsuits" and to justly punish the proven incompetent practitioners in our midst.
It also seems such a paradox that doctors and nurses and other medical practitioners are not held accountable for making mistakes that result in severe injury or death because, as they say, "doctors/nurses are human and humans make mistakes" whereas -- we, who are not protected by the law, if we make a mistake, for example: have a traffic accident while distracted which injures or kills someone, we face charges of "negligent homicide" or "manslaughter", or if someone slips on our steps and is injured or drowns in our pool -- we can be jailed or put in prison for this and sued with no "caps" on monetary settlements. Why are doctors/hospitals/hospital employees exempt from "mistakes" while others are not? I tell you -- because it's all about politics and lobbyists and insurance companies and money.... don't me going... but it is not fair or right.
And also, this book will be a tribute to Bob. That he won't be forgotten.... and his legacy will live on.
I know, I'm setting my goal rather lofty. But I think I'm up to it.
Happy New Year.
Time to jump into the pool.
11 comments:
Your goal is not lofty and you are up to it. Look forward to seeing it published and reading it! It needs to be written.
Yay, Diane....you’re back! You sound like you’ve set your feet on the ground, dug in your heels, and set your eyes on a goal that energizes you. And I have been hoping you’d find a way to tell the REAL story of Bob and his death. And everything that led to it. I remember your writing about the morning after the stroke, and the utter helplessness and anger that led you to begin your fight, and your blog. My husband’s death was still fresh to me, and you’ve been an inspiration.
I can’t wait for the next chapter.
It's important that what you learned does not go with you to your grave. Go for it!
I'll be interested in where this journey takes you, and I hope we can all go with you, especially those of us who are struggling with learning to live with our disabilities. We may be able to contribute a little and give you feedback if you want it. Good luck!
Damn, I love how full of emotion this post was!!! It's really nice to read your words and feel your "coming to life". I know it's been an emotional roller coaster for you, however you are one person that wouldn't let life hold her down for too long.
Cannot wait to read your book.
Trudy from Texas
Hi Diannel, first an apology. You relied to a post on one of my four blogs. I NEVER even acknowledged let alone replied so please accept my apologies.
I haven't made any resolutions, at 62 I have made a few and not followed through on many. I am sorry for your loss but words won't make any difference but all the same I know what it is to grieve. So this just leaves me to wish you a happy as possible New Year and I will try and follow your efforts at blogging. Don XXX
Sorry Diane. I even got your name wrong.
Diane I am glad you want to get back to writing. I applaud your courage in coming out against medical malpractice. My injuries could have been avoiding with better care but I rarely speak of it and was not able to prove anything either.
Linda, I am so sorry to hear to that your injuries could have been avoided -- but you can't prove it. It is so common that doctors/etc. do not admit mistakes, cover-up, documents disappear -- I mean, if I had come into that ICU an hour later, maybe someone would've already sent Bob down for surgery, or if the nurse hadn't said "Oh I didn't think he seemed right this morning" -- if she hadn't said that -- I might have thought, well maybe it just happened now... I would have been clueless, as to what really went down. My best to you Linda -- stay strong!
And thank you everyone for your comments/support on this (rather difficult) endeavor!
I feel power coming from you! Kudos to putting your intention in writing!
Your memoir will. be. incredible.
I look forward to reading your memoir... Memoirs are about the only kind of book I read since there are so many interesting ones out there that I can't be bothered with fiction. :)
There is a new TV (drama) show called "The Resident" that I was watching last night. One of the doctors brought up that exact fact in the pilot episode re: medical mistakes being the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. I can't help but think though, would there be enough doctors and nurses out there if they were always fired after making a mistake that cost a grave injury, or someone's life? Would anyone go into the medical field -- all those years of training and expense -- if they knew the first time they made a mistake, they'd be permanently out of the field?
A childhood friend of mine and her family sued the doctor(s) and nurse(s) after a series of errors led to her sister dying at age 45. She won a settlement, though like you can't disclose the amount...
Be sure to let us know when your memoir is available!
Lynne C.
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