"It all started several years ago when I had micro-surgery to treat a Hiatal hernia," says Arthur. (This type of hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm.) The VA doctors told Arthur that they could stop his acid reflux problem by micro-surgery that involved removing a piece of his stomach and making another esophagus. "But during surgery, they accidentally cut a nerve on the side of my stomach that produces the acid that starts the digestion process; they also lost a needle in my stomach during surgery."According to Arthur, he was the first person to undergo this kind of microsurgery procedure at the VA hospital up on the hill in Portland. "I think I was a guinea pig and they didn't tell me about their mistakes until I had the big surgery—the second one," he explains.
"A few months after the surgery I was getting swollen and very sick. I had more x-rays, including one where you eat radiated scrambled eggs and they watch it digest. Well it didn't digest and that meant another surgery. This time they took out a chunk of food the size of a softball, and opened up the bottom flap of my stomach, so I digested straight into my bowel from then on. And I still am.
"The doctor came into my room a few days after this second surgery and explained what happened and why it was necessary—because of the mistakes that happened during the first surgery. I don't think they knew the nerve had been cut until I was in the operating room—the only thing they were certain of was the lost needle, which he told me not to worry about because I would digest it in my bowels. It sounds crazy but this is all documented in my medical records...
"And now I have another problem: I just had yet another surgery to stretch my esophagus because I was having a hard time swallowing. They scoped me during that surgery and accidentally cut a nerve that controls the stomach, bowel, small and large intestine that moves the food along. Now, none of the signals are reaching the stomach etc. to move the digestion along.
"The doctor told me—and my girlfriend was there so she can back up this statement—that I was "plain f**ked." I have lost over 50 lbs in the last few months. I can barely eat, I can't do anything. And now my doctor is avoiding me so I don't know what to do.
"Naturally I have to be very careful about my diet, but no matter how careful, I go through 'serious dump syndrome': When I go to the bathroom it hurts so much that I literally black out sometimes. In the last 45 days I have been to ER twice at the VA hospital because of this problem. Unfortunately I have no choice: because I'm a disabled veteran I have to go to the VA hospital.
"Last Wednesday I had the radiated egg x-ray again and still haven't got the results. I'm sitting here wondering what the heck I'm supposed to do next; I'm just getting sicker and weaker. I haven't even had an apology, which is no surprise.
READ MORE MALPRACTICE LEGAL NEWS
"When I returned from Vietnam, I used to get really good care. I was injured over there and suffered very bad back problems so I collected disability benefits. The nurses were really good to everyone. But now that we have all the new vets coming back from overseas, they are being more sensationalized—they are taken care of first. The Korean and Vietnam vets are set aside while the new guys get special treatment—that's the way I see it anyway. I am a typical example of someone being discriminated against.
"I would like to find out what I can do about my condition because I know it is wrong: someone has to stand up sooner or later…"
READER COMMENTS
Conor
on
Finally, 3 hours later, the psychiatrist called me. She was very defensive and scolded me, claiming that she calls patients back and I let her know it was okay, the operator must have not sent the message. Then she told me that I had too high of standards and that I need to fill out the homeless voucher because I would be homeless soon. I'm getting close, but have many options to stay in my home and I explained that when she went right back to defending her call back abilities. I lost it and had an anxiety attack that led to me screaming at her then hung up.
The patient advocate was contacted but didn't answer, I left a message, this is SOP for VA employees. I waited 24 hours and did it again and left another message. Then I found her boss and called him. 2 minutes after hanging up she called. She said I had to sign a document as part of the complaint. I read it and it excluded me from the investigation, review, and from my right to choose or change doctors. It also asserted the clinic would keep complaint doctors in place and assigned through complaints if the complaint was valid, serious or not. I didn't sign it. Was this the patient advocate, or was it the clinic advocate? Why would she be supporting this?
I call the suicide crisis every night, request a referral for a counselor and document it. I've asked for PTSD treatment until I gave up. The doctors wouldn't acknowledge that they could even hear me and wouldn't talk about it. But that's all okay, and no therapist or counselor have called yet. This will all be a part of the lawsuit that I'm up late studying lawsuits against the VA and searching for attorneys to represent me.
I'm not sure why veterans are treated like children and like my psychiatrist did by belittling me, treating me with disrespect, and scolding me like a bad kid. So why can't a counselor be determined as needed by the veteran, chosen by them, and called directly to schedule the appointment as civilian adults do? Why do they need to have someone hold the power and access to their care that they know when they need and who will provide it best? My thoughts are that the 17 veterans who commit suicide daily, many are those who were made to feel worthless by the VA staff. The reason that number is that high is that we have the VA in common and, like myself, we avoid addressing healthcare needs because of the disrespectful way we are treated by the doctors and VA staff. My own story is that my depression over the three weeks I've tried to therapy has slipped down and is suicidal now, I'm safe for now.
Nora Cordero
on
It is a heartbreaking experience , distressful, painstaking ordeal that would forever change your life and your family. The VA pays the fiduciary fees, the SSA pay their services and obtained reverse mortgage to pay them selves and reimburse all the government benefits by selling your house immediately when you die. Families are left homeless , the court system protects them , self police disciplinary non-actions by bureaus who suppose to protect you from criminal acts committed. I encourage everyone to search, to be informed , prepare and alert , in case they lurk around in the hospital , referred by the Adult Protection Agent and VA Social workers who would conspire, declares false statements and demonized the family to confiscate your properties.
Even your lawyers would breached their duties for self interest. NO Law enforcements had investigated my criminal reports. Conservators are above the Law. Thank you.
linnietea
on
If the VA ADMINISTRATION has no accountability,why do we think anyone cares about us? Right now,I know I have a case for delayed diagnosis/misdiagnosis x38 years.Do you really think the VA ADMINISTRATION will admit to this. Yes,I have proof.because I approached the director,NOW I'm being discriminated against. All my former diagnosis are being re-decided. In spite of records verifying the truth. My medication is being terminated yet the medicine I'm offered I can't take. So,I will get zero treatment.in order to just force the medicine I have to take according to the physicians I've had a different diagnosis given.
Peripheral neuropathy,a knee injury due to have surgery for total replacement(cancelled) RLS, hyperparathyroidsm,and pernicious anemia. ALL cause major chronic pain.I've been on the same regime x 14 yrs.NOW,the pain clinic Dr decided I don't have any of these issues-just his hypochondriac fibromyalgia/he insisted Lyrica,I can't take it my throat closes.if I don't I'm in non-compliance.Also,I'll get no medicine after 14+years for legitimate issues.
Why won't the legal system help the Vietnam Era,and war veterans?
We never got handed a horse to ride or a surf board.just crap!!you guys had it bad, I know I took care of you when you came back.
linnietea
on
Scott Irvine
on
However, this is not a true fact in Portland Oregon.
It has taken the past eight years and some where around Fourteen Doctors later to find out what I was trying to tell them all along. I have now had three surgeries to try to provide me with some pain relief and two of these surgeries have been the past year. One from the Portland VA Hospital that I later found out the implant used was not needed, furthermore it took a NON VA Doctor to try to correct the issue and this procedure cost me little over 70k to correct the issue.
Our elected congress people need to start working together and keep our Government’s Agency accountable for their actions. INSTEAD OF WORRING ABOUT WHOMS PARTY WILL HAVE THE MAJORTY AND GET THE WORK COMPLETED THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES HIRED THEM TO DO. DEED’S SHOW ACTION NOT FANCY WORDS…………..
AYWAY THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME VENT IN YOUR BLOG AND I WOULD REALLT LIKE TO KNOW HOW MENY OTHER VETERANS IN PORTLAND OREGON AND SW WASHINGTON ( OR ANYWHERE) ARE HAVE SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE.
PLEASE EMAIL ME @ scott.irvine@centurylink.net and tell me your stories.
Mackadoo Maynard
on
Donald Williams
on
william
on