posted
Sorry I have not been online for about a month.
Lots going on personally and in regards to Steve.
Just moved to a new apartment - need to go back to the old apartment for one more day to finish up.
I did attend the ILADS conference (2nd day only) and also the tickborne conference in Boston. Will provide more details soon.
Most importantly - today is my first day in court regarding Steve's medical malpractice case for failure to diagnose babesia.
Still do not officially have a lawyer so I plan to request an extension on time to file some of the additional items requested by the court. Today is mostly just administrative details - proving I have the required certificate of merit from an expert witness etc.
Prayers requested.
More later.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Good luck Bea, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
praying you get resolution.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Prayers sent
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Good luck to you Bea!! Go get em!!
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Absolutly, Bea . . . the best of wishes to you for all matters during this pivotal time in your life. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
A quick 20 minute court appearance that gave me a 21 day extension to file additional info.
Next step is to find a lawyer - still in discussions with the one I really want.
One issue was tabled or deferred if I understood correctly - that was what I was a little worried about arguing myself. Prayer in action in my opinion.
Anyway - the case is still active and after tomorrow I will be back to making follow-up phone calls etc. Had discussions with several more tickborne researchers at the Boston conference and need to send them some packets of info.
Heading to a late lunch before going home to my new apartment. Have not got my new futon assembled yet so I am still sleeping on a roll away cot.
Lots to do in the next 3 weeks.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
surprise
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34987
posted
Thinking of you Bea with good thoughts and prayer--- thanks for the update---
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
| IP: Logged |
Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Prayers for all to go well, Bea, as well as strength, a great lawyer and financial blessings.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Praying for you Bea! Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
| IP: Logged |
posted
This whole legal thing just keeps getting stranger.
While sitting on the bench waiting for the hearing yesterday I had one of those flashes of insight you sometimes get. I had not read any of Steve's medical records in over a month. I reread the consultation notes from the first infectious disease doc Steve saw. Somehow I had forgotten that that doc was the first one to mention Munchaussens. From that point of course then just about every other doc mentioned that as well.
And then the doc went on to say that they would test for lyme and babesia to make sure that it was on record that Steve tested negative for those diseases. This all followed several negative comments in regards to LLMD's.
Those statements together with the comments in the history and physical set the course for everything that happened from that point on.
Called the lawyer for the hospital today to give them my new address and find out how to get transcripts of the hearing.
And this is where it gets rather weird. I asked who the lady in the audience was if they were willing to tell me. All the lawyer would admit was that it was someone from the hospital. The person looked familiar but I am not absolutely sure it is who I thought it was - but am assuming it was someone pretty important in the hospital administration.
And now for the really amazing info if true. I asked the lawyer if they were who I should contact to see about getting a pathologist to examine Steve's autopsy specimens. The lawyer claimed they didn't even know that an autopsy had been done on hubby and that they had not seen that report.
I met the well known lyme researcher/pathologist A.M. at the Boston conference. He gave me a list and instructions on what he needs to test both Steve's brain at Columbia Presbyterian and any autopsy specimens from the hospital. The cost of the testing will be covered by his charitable foundation.
It just boggles my mind if the lawyer really was unaware of the autopsy.
My to do list seems to growing rather than shrinking. LOL
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Oh, my. What a journey, Bea. No words. Hugs. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
some things never cease to amaze me
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
Prayers Bea. Thanks for updating us.
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Once they bring their very wrong idea of "Munchaussens" into this, I'm afraid that can be a very tough battle to face.
I wish you could someone talk to Pamela Weintraub about this as she has writing about that topic in regards to parents (of kids with lyme) wrongfully accused of Munchaussens by Proxy.
You are caught having to prove it not true while they seem to not have to prove that it is - and their absence of diligence can be then used against you when they say they can't find proof of babesia, etc - discounting they did wrong tests or screwed up in other ways, etc. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
had a doctor say I was suicidal. lost my insurance over it. apparently I had a physical and he said I had imaginary illnesses, depression, and all. he sent it in and wham...insurance cancelled. never got it back.
the power they have is profound. I never mention lyme now at all. ever...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
Actually I am not worried about the Munchausens issue. I actually think it is helpful to my case. The docs did not do any psych evaluations on either hubby or me. They just put that in the records initially because we believed Steve had chronic lyme.
The expert witness I have has already covered that in the questions I asked him - I have a very good medical description of that syndrome from that doc and obviously it does not fit.
In my opinion it simply shows that the I.D. doc had already made up his mind that not only did Steve not have a tickborne illness upon admission to the hospital, but he had never ever had any tickborne illnesses. A different I.D. doc told me that verbally - my response was "Then explain hubby's abnormal brain SPECT scans." Which of course the doc could not do.
In my opinion the statements made by the docs had a great bearing on the treatment Steve received. I probably sounded like a broken record discussing babesia, but their eyes and ears were closed. The phrase I ran across recently is confirmation bias. It definitely fits in this situation.
It is this attitude that has to change for tickborne patients to be taken seriously.
I am sure the lawyers will eventually get around to arguing over the exact wording of some of the different doctor's notes and there is a lot in there that is opinion and not facts.
Got to go for now.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147
posted
You are truly indomitable, Bea. Good luck and don't forget to take care of yourself.
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Absolutely rooting for you. As you know, I had ARDS from babesia duncani too and barely scraped by with my life (barely, still fighting), and this information and awareness has to get out there.
You continue to honor Steve's struggle and the fight he fought, and I hope you get to justice.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
momindeep
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7618
posted
Same thing happened to me! The very first doctor my, at-the-time, 13 year old daughter saw, put in her records that me, her mother, was agitated and that I insisted it was lyme even tho the doctor stated that there was no evidence of lyme in his "professional" opinion.
That very first critique of my daughter's situation, set the entire stage for the following several years...the sediment was repeated in different ways from that moment on, by almost every doctor that she saw...me the crazy mother and my daughter the mental patient.
As time went on...opinion was getting close to Munchaussens...I saw it coming.
I could kick all of those doctor's asses (forgive me) for their dismissive, know it all, assinine attitudes because I believe that first comment, made by that first doctor, caused my daughter years of suffering.
I feel for you Bea...bless your heart.
Posts: 1512 | From Glenwood City WI | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Keep on keeping on!!! We are behind you all the way----along with the TBD patients of the world!
This crazy, dismissive, negligent situation that pretty much all of us have gone through, most of us for years or decades, MUST stop.
Money talks . . . a lawsuit, hits them where they feel it the most.
Love and prayers to you.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
Jane2904
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15917
posted
Best of luck to you, Bea!!
Posts: 1357 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
Spoke to the spouse of hubby's former LLMD who is a lawyer. Got some advice on how to find a lawyer. The person was impressed with the complaint I filed.
The person was actually not surprised that the hospital lawyer did not know about the autopsy. Their opinion was that the hospital just handed off the case and basically said "Make this go away." The lawyer I spoke with thinks the hospital will not take me seriously unless I find a lawyer and that they will try to trip me up with legal technicalities to get the case dismissed.
My next deadline is 12/23. Goal is to find a lawyer by then. I can probably handle what is needed by that deadline on my own if I have to, but keeping my fingers crossed that I can find a lawyer to help.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
ukcarry
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18147
posted
Best of luck, Bea.
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
A stressful but productive day. Some of the lawyers I left messages for today actually called me back and I have sent further info to at least 3 possibles.
Plus, I have been given an alternative legal strategy to get more time if nothing works out this week.
Did not make as many calls as I had planned, but repeating Steve's story over and over was not as hard emotionally as I had expected it to be. It wasn't easy, but could have been much worse.
One day at a time.
12/23 is the next hurdle.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Praying for you. May the Lord open the right doors, strengthen and surround you. And Bea, thank you for your courage and caring heart.
-------------------- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. Posts: 338 | From NEPA | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Praying for you, Bea, in agreement with DKat!!
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
Bought my brother the computer he commissioned me to shop for for him, bought some new Sunday clothes (lost 10 pounds without even trying during my big move), and more importantly went to the courthouse and filed a nonsuit for my wrongful death lawsuit.
What this means is that I withdrew the case and now have 6 months to get all my ducks in a row and refile. Pretty sure I have a lawyer, but the meeting is not until the week of January 5, 2015. Lawyer has reviewed various files I emailed and was impressed with the complaint I wrote.
A couple of different lawyers suggested this legal strategy (the nonsuit) and I think it is best at this time. Now I can follow-up with all the docs I met at the 2 recent lyme conferences and get more expert witnesses on board.
Happy Holidays everyone.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Woohoo!!!! Keep going Bea!!!!
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
| IP: Logged |
Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Good job, Bea!
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
Planning to spend at least a week with family in West Virginia. My parents have no TV, no cell phone reception and no internet connection. Plus the nearest neighbors are a mile away. So it is very easy to just commune with nature on the family farm.
The forecast keeps changing so not sure if they might be snowed in or not. As long as I have something to read and some yarn for knitting or crocheting I can keep myself entertained and get recharged for the year ahead.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic