What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

I am interested in hearing if you think I have some sort of case here. Even if its not a thing where we can sue..I would LOVE to have this doctor suspended for a time!

My mom has been REALLY sick. I asked the gallbladder question the other day. I cant believe this can cause soooooo much pain. Anyway...we brought her to a hospital in queens because she couldnt make it anywhere else. We knew this hospital wasnt a great one but took her there anyway hoping for some sort of answer and pain relief. Upon entering the emergency room they did a stomach xray and stomach scan. They then decided to admit her. We waited for 3 days just to get the results of these tests. She was never sent for any other tests at all, she only saw a doctor for about 3 minutes at 9 at night and nothing was being explained. They were blowing it off as an ibs flareup which we all knew wasnt the answer. When they discharged her on Saturday, I saw the doctor who had been "treating" her and asked why she was being released without more tests. He said there was nothing left to test for. I did research of my own and had come to my own conclusion that it may have been her gallbladder. I outright asked if her gallbladder was seen on the tests that were taken and all he did was scream at me that it was not her gallbladder. He gave her a pain prescription, told her to go home and watch what she eats and she would be fine. Well her pain meds turned out to be fuckin TYLENOL! Now I am talking about pain here that my mom actually compared to childbirth (after having 3 kids). I called his office and asked why it was only tylenol and he yelled at me saying nothing could treat ibs. This obviously wasnt ibs but thats all he kept saying...that it was NOTHING ELSE.

Well Saturday night we rushed my mother to ny hospital where we were in the er for 12 hours doing sonograms, more scans and a deeper ultrasound which revealed 30 GALLSTONES!!!!!!!!!! Now she has to have the stones taken out and possibly her gallbladder!!!! I am sooo livid! She wasted a week in that other place in severe pain with a doctor who had no idea what he was doing! How could he have told me that it was simply an ibs flareup?!?!?!? I am in total shock and I want to take some action against him, the hospital...anyone in that hellhole!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does it sound like I have some sort of case??? Anything? My first step is to get her medical records from the original hospital for proof and then to file a formal complaint with the medical board. I think something should be done. This doctor shouldnt be treating patients! What do you think?

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

Noreen I am so sorry. I would definitely contact a lawyer and see what they say. They can get all her records for you. Whatever you do don't contact the doctor again incase he decides to fix some charts. He sound like a sleaze and changing charts wouldn't be a problem for him. I hope your mom gets better soon. Once they remove the gallbladder she will feel 100% again, immediately!! Call me when you get a chance!!

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

Definately coNot just to sue him but so this arrogant piece of crap doesnt do this to someone else

Good Luck to your Mom

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

Your mother will definitely need the entire gallbladder taken out. They do not get rid of the stones without taking out the whole thing. Lawsuits against hospitals are very long and drawn out, and will entail you having to get a lawyer and either pay for him whether or not you win, or pay for one (these tend to be more sleazy) that will only require money if you win the case. Cases usually last 5-10 years in hospital suits, and hospitals have great lawyers. That said, city hospitals ****. I am not defending the doctor, but the city hospitals are so crowded and doctors so overworked. My cousin was doing rotations in one and they operated on the wrong side of someone's brain! It did not cause permanent damage and the patient never found out. They did operate on the correct side later. In her plastic surgery rotation they had residents practice, and would just rebreak the nose and reset it if the resident messed up. This happens all the time, but unless this causes permanent damage, you probably aren't going to get a monetary settlement.

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

I was going to say that indeed it was a mis diagnosis but it does get very expensive to pay a lawyer for soemthing that does take several years.
It also sounds like, although he didnt catch it, realisticly becuase your mom is going to be ok, you probably wont get any money out of it and his license wouldnt be revoked.

My mom was misdiagnosed with cancer and 4 years later it just got throw out the window.

Im so sorry your mom had to go through an extra week of pain, thats why its always good to go for a 2nd opinion when something just doesnt seem right to you.
Hope she feels better soon

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

Noreen, I'm so sorry to hear this is happening to your mother and your family! I wish her a speedy recovery!

I would get a copy of her records and you can consult with a lawyer to see if you have a case. My mother tried to sue her doctor that missed her breast cancer on her mamogram when she was diagnosed 2 months later. She was told by 2 lawyers that she really didn't have a case espeically since she has recovered and is doing fine (now over 6 years!!!!).

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

WOW!!

I would look into something, taking it further!

On a positive note, I had my gall bladder out about 13 years ago and I was only in the hospital one day...many hospitals have it as ambulatory surgery these days...Its a very very simple operation, they go in through your belly button and its a few sutures...she would be up and walkign a few days later back to normal...SO dont get too worried!

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

I am very sorry to hear your Mom needlessly suffered due to incompetence. I am actually dealing with a lawyer now if you would like his info, FM me

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

Good luck to you in whatever you choose.

BUt one your mom has her gallbladder out she will feel so much better. I know how bad that pain is!!

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

I don't have any advice as far as the Dr. thing is concerned. My friend just broke her foot and tore her tendon and the Dr. at the ER told her it was just sprained. She went for a second opinion to a podiatrist and he was the break and tear with the original x-rays!! Her Dr. told her she probably wouldn't have a case though.

On the gallbladder side, I know of at least four people who have had it removed and they had no pain whatsoever afterwards. Just a little soreness for a few days.

Good luck to her!!!

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

Report it immediatley to the American Medical Association, immediately.
Then send a formal memorandom to the head of the hospital, and the AMA documenting what the inaccuracies were-and consult an attorney-who cares if it takes 5 years-he could miss someone else's tumor-look on craig's list for an attorney who is just getting started, maybe they will write up the paperwork for you at a lower cost.

Re: What do you think about this...I AM LIVID!

While you can sue (you'll always find a lawyer to take your case), I'm not sure the end result would be worth the time, effort and money to put into it. However, I do believe you can file a formal complaint against both the doctor and the hospital. I'd look into that instead, especially since it doesn't seem like you're too interested in money.