Life Saver
brew-parrish(AT)juno.com
Thu, 02 Oct 1997 10:49:41 -0700
This vent-page has literally been a life saver. Let me explain. I have a
friend who is a polio survivor named Lillie. Although I have never met
her I talk to her by phone at least twice a week. When she first talked
with me about 4 yrs ago, she was extremely depressed. She couldn't get
out of bed. She had seen many respiratory doctors, internists,
psychiatrists, etc. All said they couldn't find anything wrong. Believe
me, it didn't take a rocket scientist to determine she was
underventilated. I nagged her until she went to see my pulmonologist in
St. Louis. She started using a vent at night, and resumed her life. Than
three yrs. ago she had breast cancer. A mastectomy was done. She
coordinated the surgery with Oscar (our doctor) and all was fine until
three months ago. She found another lump in the remaining breast. Her
cancer surgeon refused to sit down and discuss the surgery with her. I
was incredulous. I encouraged her to "demand" a meeting with him. Lillie
did and her brother accompanied her. The cancer surgeon said the tumor
would kill her if it wasn't removed but he in his infinite wisdom decided
not to do the surgery==in fact refused to do the surgery because he said
it my leave her "a respiratory cripple." I have admitted my fear of being
trached but I would opt for life first. Lillie was distraught. She agreed
with the poor excuse of a surgeon that she didn't want to be a
respiratory cripple(I hate that word) Anyway, I told her about all of the
trached people on this site. I printed out your comments that being
trached is no big deal and sent them to her posthaste! She is very
relieved by what you all said. She had instructed her new surgeon not to
trach her to let her die. You guys helped her immensely and I thank you
from the bottom of my heart. Lillie wants to live. Her surgery is October
10. Please pray for her. Thanks!
Val