Re: Update on my Friend Arlene

Oh, ***! - I'm so sorry DeeTee. That's so awful. Let's keep praying and
hope for the best (whatever that is).

I know the family probably doesn't want to deal with this right now - but
they certainly should have all the medical records reviewed by counsel and
an independent physician (the lawyer will know where/whom) in preparation
for a malpractice case. In fact, if they are up for it, they should ask for
copies of her records from the initial providers (and everyone along the
way) now before she, God Forbid, passes.

Of particular interest to me (as an atty) is the RA treatment. The site you
provided said histoplasmosis is generally not fatal except for those with
weakened immune systems. If the treatment for RA created that weakened
state, there are multiple people responsible for this terrible cascade of
events. The actual missing of the histoplasmosis may or may not be
malpractice if the other diagnoses were reasonable given the symptoms, test
results, etc. Only an independent expert can say whether they followed
appropriate protocols.

Adelle

"DeeTee and Bob Taggart" <ke3iu_nospam@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ggeog.703$Eh1.218@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It doesn't look good. The other of our triumvirate friendship has been
updating me.....

Saturday, June 24, 2006 We have a name. It is Disseminated Histoplasmosis.
www.astdhpphe.org/infect/histo.html for information. The great news is,
"it is treatable". There is also no sign of RA which kinda distresses me,
or not, we'll see. Keep up your prayers, they are working. Thank you,
Jesse



Monday, June 26, 2006 Long story. Started last fall with a blood clot in
her leg. Then pneumonia. Next double pneumonia. Suddenly they announced it
was Legionnaire's and she was dying. When she decided not to die, they
said it was cancer in her heart. Next it was cancer in her lungs. She was
finally transferred to Washington Hospital Center, but refused anymore
tests, wanting to die in peace [i.e.: without the pain of additional
useless testing]. Her kids & best friend all came out to visit while the
new docs & nurses convinced her that she did not need to die. She agreed
to 2 more tests. Bone marrow proved no cancer - anywhere. Looking at an
elusive spot in the back of her heart revealed what the problem had been
all along: yeast infection throughout the entire pulmonary system. They
immediately flushed the system with antibiotics & began IV with same.
Whatever it is, it has a locked box around the IV bag that can only be
opened with a key!



We saw her Friday, evidently just after Jess had received the incredible
news. She was heavily sedated, since her new docs & nurses do not believe
in pain ? She has been in the hospital more days than out this year. Now
this is my interpretation of these events & it may not be exactly correct,
but you get the picture that the other hospitals (2) misdiagnosed &
subsequently mistreated Arlene to the point of nearly killing her 3 times!
They actually said her body systems were shutting down. Inexcusable!



Tim just received a message that Arlene's primary care doc had been
treating her for rheumatoid arthritis, which was his misdiagnosis of this
yeast infection, which she has had for so long that is has actually
involved her bones. The docs do not think they can beat it & are giving
her a 3 in 10 chance for survival. Appalling!



Monday, June 27, 2006 We saw her last night, she seemed worse. We believe
she knew we were there, but she was unable to respond except to open one
eye. It is just too sad to bear! Jesse met with our Bishop last night. We
have not yet heard anything new.




.