My focus at this time of year is to keep your spirits up. I present to you an article about a woman who developed the courage and insight to teach the medical world and everyone around her to pay attention to the evidence: Evidence that she had a physical, not a mental, problem.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/71725
Moral of the real life story: When you’re dissatisfied with the medical assessment of your problem, and you’re certain that you need a second opinion, maybe a third, GET IT!
Mimic her. Imitate every sound psychological action you know of. Insist that your symptoms be addressed professionally, correctly, competently.
UPDATE: It is CRUCIAL, Important as Can Be, to Check Out the Competence of Medical Personnel and Hospitals. Here's One reason why: Hospital Fined for Brain Surgeries on Wrong Side of Head
THIS is why my book It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry if I Need To teaches readers how to AVOID MEDICATION ERRORS: Hospital medication errors widespread
TOOLS for Learning about Medical Competence (I'll update this information over time):
2007 US News and World Report Rankings of Neurology and Neurosurgery Hospitals http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/search.php?spec=ihqneur
and
Hospital Comparison Tool for Craniotomies (surgery on the skull) http://healthnet.sqctool.com/index.aspx?f=healthnet_federal
As soon as you know you’ll be hospitalized, you can start to pack for the occasion.
Read It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To and find a list of essentials you’ll need to pack whether you’re a man, woman or child. And learn what to leave out!
Spread more cheer during the holiday season. Buy It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To at http://www.booklocker.com/books/3067.html
Order it in book stores if it’s not on the shelves. It's MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry if I Need To can be shipped worldwide. Specialty editions are available for large organizations.
Booksellers, save on large quantities of It’s MY Crisis!
https://secure.booklocker.com/booklocker/wholesale/order.php
To your good health,
Yocheved Golani
Coping with a Medical Crisis?
Make the Changes You Need in Your Life.
