By Janet Early
On April 25, 2008 I had bladder cancer surgery at Marin General Hospital, operating room No. 5. After reading my letter, judge for yourself.
At this writing I am 79 years of age. I am a widow of a chief petty officer who retired after 22 years in the Navy. My husband and I paid into Social Security since 1937. We both retired at the age of 62.
My husband died December 16, 2006 and I was penalized for receiving my survivor benefits from the Navy, by Congress. It was unknown to me that over 200,000 dependents of military personnel had been subjected to such unjust actions until President Bush stepped in to fix the problem for dependents of all military members. Congress made an adjustment. After a three-year period of consideration I was finally paid the full sum that my husband had paid into the system. The monthly obligation to secure my life upon his death was denied due to Congress” greed to save money.
Since I am a widow of a retired military man I am insured by Medicare, CHAMPUS and TRICARE. My operation on April 25, 2008 lasted 5.5 hours and I now have to wear a urostomy pouch. With the great surgical team, I came through the surgery all intact to go on with my life. I had no pain, but I wanted to sleep. Food and my stomach did not get along at all. And, I so enjoy eating. On May 1, the doctor informed me that someone had entered the wrong information into the computer and the hospital would not pick up the excess costs, so I was requested to leave right away. They did not show any compassion for the fact that my stomach was full of stitches, since I had been cut open from hip to hip. I guess the almighty buck must come first.
I replied that “My car is right there,” and pointed out the window, and told him I would drive home. It was Thursday and neither of my two cousins, one from Belmont and one in San Carlos, could drive me home to Clearlake until Friday. It would require two drivers for the trip because of my car and theirs.
They could not comply with my needs, so I drove home all alone to Clearlake, from Marin General Hospital. I was apathetic and apprehensive about staying at that hospital, since Redbud Community Hospital (now St, Helena Hospital of Clearlake), here in Clearlake, had taken such excellent care of my husband and I for seventeen years.
My beloved husband had six-bypass heart surgery and was in ICU for 12 days. I did not leave his side until Frank was out of danger. I was blessed to have Frank in my life for 3 years, 7 months and 21 days longer due to excellent care at Redbud Community Hospital. I feel I am very qualified to judge hospital services and attitudes toward patients after that experience at Marin General Hospital.
If we go into the system that is being discussed in Washington, such experiences as I encountered will be numerous for the elderly.
Janet Early
Clearlake
