while we're on the subject of ethics.....

[Guest guest]

I'm a silent reader of the list serve...I read and think about the

various topics, but never respond like I'm doing now. My own recent

experience with the medical community has left me with even lower

respect for them than I had before.My, " story " is too long for this e-

mail, but the basis of my complaint is the utter lack of respect I

have been shown as a patient who is also a doctor.

The primary issue is I have just learned I have polycystic renal

disease. My kidney function is at about 50% and I look about 13

months " with child " . I have two shirts I can wear as my 6 pac is now

a full keg! My own doctor dropped me from care after I faxed the

radiology report showing the giant cyst I discovered when diet did

not help me loose the gut. ( I wrote my own x-ray request and had a

plain film done of my abdomen). now i'm without a doctor and getting

bigger by the day. So I went to the ER. I was refered to to urologist

and a nephrologist. I saw the first and still waing for the second.

The urologist hasn't returned my calls...I've made two so far.

Here's the catch. I do not have insurance. I pay cash, as I have

always done. The ER doctor had to plead for the specialist to even

see me. The nephrologist's office said she like to see the

patient's " demographics " before requesting chart notes. I asked if

that meant, Blue Cross and was told she would ALSO look at other

factors...right.

I know there are a number of medical apologist on the list, but I've

got to tell you, speaking as one who has given away service to those

who couldn't aford it, I am living proof that the insurance comes

first, then the " ethics " .

Don Leary, DC

Salem