THE TELLTALE QUESTION

Why wasn't I paying better attention when Dr. Timothy Flood, the retinal specialist, looked quite disturbed when I first met him and he asked what kind of work I did and I told him I was a retired lawyer?    

Had he been on the receiving end of some legal actions?  

Did his wandering mouth get him in trouble by harming others as it harmed me?  I'll never know!  But give the horrendous events of the past few years I know that I should have paid better attention to those tell-tale signs! 

Did he not realize the effects his words could have, as when I asked him why I had this retina condition,  and his immediate (and erroneous) answer was: "because you are on Prolia!"  

Unfortunately, at that time, I actually believed this highly trained medical expert knew what he was talking about!!!   

But it was this careless -- and actually -- ignorant remark, by an expert who must have known better -- that led to the pain and disability I live with to this day!!!!!

Did he not know or did he not care that the correct answer (as discussed further in these posts) would have been: "because you have osteoporosis!"  ????    

Couldn't he have squeezed that big long word "osteoporosis" out of his hyper-educated little mouth? 

Did he really not know that having osteoporosis was NOT the same as being on Prolia?

What did he think I was going to do with this information?

I will likely never know the answers to any of these questions.  But to my everlasting pain and sorrow, I believed him and followed what I believed was his implicit advice!  To this day I live with the pain and disability created by this erroneous statement!    

Until he acknowledges this error (which, given his arrogance, I doubt that he ever will) I do not believe he should be treating or advising patients in any capacity.   

                                                                       ### 

DEAR RETINA DOCTORS -- PLEASE WATCH YOUR WORDS!

Dear Retina Doctors: 

I have great respect for the retina doctors.  But my respect — and my trust — left me with great pain, permanent disability, and a sadly premature end to my active life!   

When I was diagnosed with macular degeneration I had asked the retina doctor then treating me why I had this condition.   His answer: "Because you are on Prolia!"  I knew skipping a Prolia shot could mean broken bones!  But I was even more afraid of losing my eyesight.  So I skipped my next Prolia shot! 

The horrible results came quickly with a flood of excruciating backache. I cabbed to the nearest ER where X-rays showed THREE NEW VERTEBRAL FRACTURES!  They taped my back, but their pain pills could not stop the flood of pain.  Later the University of Chicago Pain Clinic offered only narcotics, which frightened me. 

Pain made driving hazardous so I sadly gave up my car.  And the active life I so enjoyed in retirement?  Impossible.  Even standing was painful!!   

I reached out to an old friend, an ophthalmologist, now retired from the National Eye Institute at National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.  She confirmed links between OSTEOPOROSIS and MACULAR DEGENERATION, but NOT between PROLIA and MACULAR DEGENERATION!   

Had the retina doctor simply said “because you have osteoporosis” I’d have gotten my Prolia shots, my vertebrae would likely be ok, and my life would be reasonably normal.

I’m back on Prolia now, but the damage is forever.  The Prolia doctor was shocked when I told her what happened.  My vertebral X-rays resemble a child’s broken Tinker-Toy!  The pain has decreased to the point that I can avoid habituating drugs, but it is always there when sitting or standing.   

Driving is now hazardous, so I've let my car and driver's license go.  I try to be active as pain permits, and do exercises prescribed by a physical therapist. But muscle cannot replace bone.  

And the travel and other activities which I had eagerly planned for my retirement years?   Now impossible -- all because of a few misleading words from a respected retinal specialist whom I had the great misfortune to trust!  I write this in hopes that this will not happen to anyone else!     

Joan Levin   jdlevin@bright.net.   November 29, 2022 ###

--------------------------------------------------------------

(This one page handout for doctors was,  I believe,  in Ariel Narrow Bold, 14 point)   

A FEW MORE WORDS TO DR. DELUGE!

I recall that Dr. Timothy Flood -- my former retina doctor -- was rather “fartutzt” (a wonderful Yiddish word meaning “done up,” or disturbed) when he asked me what kind of work I did, and I told him I was a retired lawyer.    

I should have paid better attention to his nervous reaction!   I don't know what he was thinking but he definitely looked disturbed!   

And I should have been even more perturbed when he said he wanted me to sign a paper saying I would not sue him!   I told him I would not do so and that this request was certainly against public policy.   

But the request was certainly odd, and I should have paid more attention to to it.  In fact, I should have just walked right out the door at that point!

Today, thinking back to the entire scenario, in which he also carelessly purveyed the misleading information that I had the retinal condition he was treating because I was "on Prolia," I cannot help wondering if he had made similarly inaccurate comments to other patients, who, like me, may have relied on his expertise to their sorrow!  

Mistakenly believing at the time that he knew what he was talking about, I acted on his comment, and believing Prolia could threaten my eyesight, I skipped some Prolia shots.  This, in turn, left me at extreme risk for the three painful and disabling vertebral fractures I subsequently suffered.  

Today I cannot help wondering if incidents like this have left him on the receiving end of some legal actions!    

I'm only grateful that another ophthalmologist/eye surgeon, and a personal friend, who after expressing shock that any eye doctor would make such a comment, assured me that the macular degeneration for which Dr. Flood was treating me at the time was associated with osteoporosis itself, and not with Prolia.  Otherwise even more damage may have occurred!

But while I was grateful for this correct information (which apparently Dr. Flood did not have despite his many years of advanced training), I still live with the daily pain and disability I attribute to trusting  Dr. Timothy Flood!

But have no fear, Dr. Flood!  I have no intention of suing you.  Why?  Because NO amount a court might award me in this he-said-she-said situation could begin to compensate for the pain, immobility, and most of all the loss of the travel and other good times with friends and family that I was so eagerly anticipating in retirement.   

And bringing such a legal action (as much has you may deserve it, Dr. Flood) could complicate my medical care in the future!

So rest easy, Dr. Timothy Flood!  You can keep your money and go on with your life just as if this never happened.  How delightful for you that you needn't give a thought about the ruination your carelessly inaccurate words made in the life of a patient who trusted you!                 

                                               ###

WILL SHE SUE?

Will this cranky old lady sue the doctor whose dangerously erroneous statement created this painful situation?   Several friends have asked me this.  

Rest easy, doctor!  You had the great good luck to demolish the active life of a retired lawyer!   

During the many hours I spent in pain, flat on my back, because of your unbelievably erroneous statement that was supposed pass for medical advice, I thought about this.    

The irony here, Dr. Deluge, is that YOU threatened to sue ME if I told anyone about this debacle!   

My conclusions:

1.   In general, cases like this (he said/she said) are hard to prove, and here, preponderance of evidence is required.  There were no other witnesses to this doctors dangerously stupid statement and no writings; only my notes and recollection of what I was told: that my eye condition was "because I was on Prolia."

2.  Legal action could create all sorts of problems with my medical care in the future.   

3.  Because I worked hard in physical therapy to at least regain some ability to walk (albeit with pain) and to manage some of my activities of daily living, damages award would likely be reduced accordingly. 

4. No amount of money could compensate me for what I have suffered and what I have lost because of the stupid, thoughtless and dangerous statements made by the doctor in question.  My ability to drive a car, visit friends and family, travel as I had so looked forward to in retirement -- these might all be worth something in damages, but money would never give me back what I have lost!  

5. It would be highly unlikely to change the future behavior of this likely well-insured and egotistical doctor in any event.   He probably has great insurance to cover this and would just go on  with his life as usual.

                                                 ###  

FROM DR. FLOOD'S ILLINOIS RETINA WEB PAGE

From Dr. Flood's Illinois Retina Web Page

“Taking care of patients who have retinal problems and helping to relieve their anxiety over the health of their eyes is very rewarding. Research is also important to me. To be able to take the knowledge you have gained through a clinical trial and change the way physicians treat patients is very exciting. Here at Illinois Retina, we’re helping people, having fun doing it and creating new knowledge at the same time.”

https://www.illinoisretina.com/providers/timothy-flood-md-facs/

                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nice statement, Dr. Flood, but how about just giving your patients correct answers to their perfectly sensible questions?   And not answers that will cripple them for life!   

                                                   ###

HANDOUT FOR RETINA DOCTORS, ONE PAGE, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Dear Retina Doctors: 

I have great respect for the retina doctors here.  But my respect — and my trust —- left me with great pain, permanent disability, and a sadly premature end to my active life!   

When I was diagnosed with macular degeneration I had asked the retina doctor then treating me why I had this condition. His answer: “Because you are on Prolia!”  I knew skipping a Prolia shot could mean broken bones!!  But I was even more afraid of losing my eyesight.  So I skipped my next Prolia shot! 

The horrible results arrived with an excruciating backache. I cabbed to the nearest ER where X-rays showed THREE NEW VERTEBRAL FRACTURES!  They taped my back, but their pain pills could not stop the flood of pain.  The University of Chicago Pain Clinic offered only narcotics, which frightened me.      

Pain made driving hazardous so I sadly gave up my car. And the active life and travel I so enjoyed in retirement?  Now impossible.  Even standing upright was painful.

I reached out to an old friend, an ophthalmologist, now retired from the National Eye Institute at National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.  She confirmed links between OSTEOPOROSIS and MACULAR DEGENERATION, but NOT between PROLIA and MACULAR DEGENERATION!   

Had the retina doctor simply said “because you have osteoporosis” I’d have gotten my Prolia shots, my vertebrae would likely be ok, and my life would be reasonably normal.

I’m back on Prolia now, but the damage is forever.  The Prolia doctor was shocked when I told her what happened.  My vertebral X-rays resemble a child’s broken Tinker-Toy!  The pain has decreased to the point that I can avoid habituating drugs, but it is always there when sitting or standing.   

Driving was now hazardous, so I let my car and driver's license go.  I try to be active as pain permits, and I do exercises prescribed by a physical therapist. But muscle cannot replace bone.  

And the travel and other activities I had so eagerly looked forward to in retirement?  Now  impossible --  all because of a few misleading words from a respected retinal specialist whom I had the great misfortune to trust!  I write this in hopes that this will not happen to anyone else!   

Joan Levin    jdlevin@bright.net  November 29, 2022     

(Ariel Narrow 13 point bold for a one page document)

November 25, 2022

I also included this poem which may be elsewhere in this blog:

I asked the doc why I must have that needle in my eye, 

“It’s plain to see!” he said to me, “and here’s the reason why!” 

“You have an eye condition: macular degeneration.”

“Why do I have this?” I replied.  “What is the explanation?”  

No pause or hesitation for that doctor’s quick reply:

“Because you are on Prolia, and that’s the reason why!” 

“Oh my gosh” I thought at once, “Now I will have to choose!”  

“My vision or my backbone; Oh, which one could I lose?”

Awake for hours, I made the choice: my bones would have to go.

I didn’t get my Prolia shot, the rest, I guess, you know!

Soon after, in a flood of pain, three vertebrae were shot!

Life as I knew it ended, right there on the spot!

No more driving, no more travel, just a lot of pain!

My active life cut with a knife — and sent right down the drain!

Not long afterwards I learned I’d got bad information. 

And why that doctor said those words?  I have no explanation.

All too late I learned that this condition of the eyes,  

Is because of osteoporosis; but I was too late wise!

                                              ###

November 25, 2022

At my blog:   http://www.joansbackbonedisaster.com/

DEAR RETINA DOCTORS: PLEASE WATCH YOUR WORDS!

I have great respect for the doctors here at Illinois Retina.  But my respect — and my trust —- left me with great pain, permanent disability, and, a sadly premature end to my active life!   

When I was diagnosed with macular degeneration I had asked the retina doctor then treating me why I had this condition.  His answer:  “Because you are on Prolia!"   I knew skipping a Prolia shot could mean broken bones!!  But I was even more afraid of losing my eyesight.  So I skipped the next Prolia shot!!!

The horrible result came quickly with an excruciating backache. I cabbed to the nearest ER where X-rays showed THREE recen vertebral fractures.  They taped my back, but their pain pills could not stop the flood of pain.  The University of Chicago Pain clinic offered only addictive narcotics, which frightened me. 

Pain made driving hazardous so I sadly gave up my car.  And the active life and  travel I was so enjoying in retirement?   Now impossible.   

Pain made driving hazardous so I sadly gave up my car.  And the active travel I so enjoyed in retirement?  Now impossible.  Even standing upright was painful! 

I reached out to an old friend, an ophthalmologist, now retired from the National Eye Institute at National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.  She confirmed links between  OSTEOPOROSIS and MACULAR DEGENERATION, but NOT between PROLIA and MACULAR DEGENERATION!   

Had the retina doctor simply said "because you have osteoporosis" I'd have gotten my Prolia shots on time, my vertebrae would be ok, and my life would be reasonably normal.

I’m back on Prolia now, but the damage is forever.  The Prolia doctor was shocked when I told her what happened.  My vertebral X-rays resemble a child’s broken Tinker-Toy!  The pain has decreased to where I can avoid habituating drugs, but it is always there when sitting or standing.   

Driving was now hazardous, so I let my car and driver's license go.  I try to be active as pain permits, and I do exercises prescribed by a physical therapist.  But muscle cannot replace bone. 

And the travel and other activities I had so eagerly looked forward to in retirement?  Now impossible -- all because of a few misleading words from a respected retinal specialist whom I had the great misfortune to trust!  I write this in hopes that this will not happen to anyone else!    

Joan Levin jdlevin@bright.net 11/29/22.    

                                                          ###

GETTING WISE ABOUT THE EYES: A SAD ACCOUNT OF CARELESS MEDICAL MISNFORMATION!

I asked the doc why I must have that needle in my eye, 

“It’s plain to see!” he said to me, “and here’s the reason why!” 

“You have an eye condition: macular degeneration.”

“Why do I have this?” I replied.  “What is the explanation?”  

No pause or hesitation for that doctor’s quick reply:

“Because you are on Prolia, and that’s the reason why!” 

“Oh my gosh” I thought at once, “Now I will have to choose!”  

“My vision or my backbone; Oh, which one could I lose?”

Awake for hours, I made the choice: my bones would have to go.

I didn’t get my Prolia shot, the rest, I guess, you know!

Soon after, in a flood of pain, three vertebrae were shot!

Life as I knew it ended, right there on the spot!

No more driving, no more travel, just a lot of pain!

My active life cut with a knife — and sent right down the drain!

Not long afterwards I learned I’d got bad information. 

And why the doctor said those words?  I have no explanation.

(Just in case you're wondering, this condition of the eyes, 

Is because of osteoporosis; but I was too late wise!) 

November 25, 2022

Dedicated to Dr. Timothy Flood, whose disastrously inaccurate information not only left me disabled and in pain but which also inspired this verse! I understand he may now be retired, and not a moment too soon!

https://www.illinoisretina.com/providers/timothy-flood-md-facs/

THOUGHTS NEAR A HOLIDAY

Why do well-meaning people tell me not to be angry?  

Does it upset them?    

How can I keep still when similar things could happen to others? 

And why would a doctor give such dangerously misleading answers to a legitimate question well within the scope of his training.  

I'll never know, but hopefully my experience will help others avoid similar debacles.  

                                 ###

A GOOD FRIEND COMES TO VISIT

 Eve Bargmann visited when she was here in Chicago for a medical meeting.  She stayed at my apartment and it was great t see her!   I think this was May 1, 2022. 

It was great to see her!  

                                                    ###

 

WHY DID THOSE BONES BREAK?

As noted in these posts, I have been diagnosed with macular degeneration.  The retina doctor who diagnosed this told me that this condition was because I was "on Prolia."  This was a disastrous answer, as will be discussed elsewhere.

But at the time, believing this erroneous information from the retinal doctor, and fearing to lose my vision,  I delayed my next Prolia shot, resulting in multiple vertical fractures: two thoracic and one lumbar.  

But as I later learned, the macular degeneration was  not because I was on Prolia.  Rather, it was because I had osteoporosis.  Had I known this earlier I would certainly have continued with the Prolia shots that were protecting my bones.  

But when this retinal specialist told me that Prolia was endangering my eyesight, I believed him, and therefore failed to get my Prolia shot on time -- resulting in those fractures, as the osteoporosis doctor sadly confirmed.     

http://www.joansbackbonedisaster.com/2022/10/the-painful-consequences-of-flawed.html   

This may seem like an unimportant bit of information, but it lies at heart of the multiple vertebral fractures I sustained that will likely  affect me for the rest of my life!  

This is why I am exploring the relationships between osteoporosis, Prolia and macular degeneration and publishing my experience and what I learn in this blog. 

                                       ###

TO THE RETINA DOCTORS: WORDS CAN DESTROY! (Shorter)

I had great respect for the doctors at Illinois Retina. Unfortunately my respect — and my trust —- left me with enormous pain, permanent disability, and a very sad, painful and premature end to my active life!   

I had asked the retina doctor then treating me, Dr. Timothy Flood,  why I had macular degeneration.  His answer astonished and frightened me.  

He said:  “Because you are on Prolia!”  

Skipping a Prolia shot could mean broken bones!!  But I was even more afraid of losing my eyesight.  So based on his words, I skipped the next Prolia shot !!!.  

The horrible results came quickly with an excruciating backache. 

I cabbed to the nearest ER where X-rays showed THREE recent vertebral fractures.  

They taped my back, but their pain pills did not make a dent in the pain.  The University of Chicago Pain clinic offered only addictive narcotics, which frightened me.  

This flood of pain made driving hazardous so I sadly gave up my car.  And the travel I so looked forward to in retirement?  Now impossible.   

An old friend, an ophthalmologist now retired from the National Eye Institute at National Institutes of Heath in Bethesda, MD, confirmed links between  OSTEOPOROSIS and MACULAR DEGENERATION, but NOT between PROLIA and MACULAR DEGENERATION!  

Why didn’t that highly trained and experienced retina doctor know this?  

Had that retina doctor said “because you have osteoporosis,  I’d have gotten that Prolia shot on time, my vertebrae would likely have been ok, and I could have enjoyed the family activities and travel I’d planned for my retirement years.  

But for some reason I will never understand, that highly trained specialist gave me a dangerously incorrect answer! 

I’m back on Prolia now, but the damage is forever.  The Prolia doctor was shocked and angry when I told her what happened!

My vertebral X-rays resemble a child’s broken Tinker-Toy!  The pain has decreased to the point that I can now avoid habituating drugs, but it is always there when sitting or standing.   

I am active as pain permits, with exercises prescribed by a physical therapist.  But muscle cannot replace bone.   

And the travel and other activities I had so eagerly anticipated in retirement?  Now impossible because of five misleading words from a respected retinal specialist whom I had the great misfortune to trust!  I write this in hopes that it will not happen to others!    

 jdlevin@bright.net, 11/29/2022

                                                                 ###        

(This is a shorter version of document actually dated to be posted November 29, 2022 that will likely be an appointment to the retina doctor, Dr. C. that day.)     

A BIT OF SHAKESPEARE FOR THE DOCTOR WHO LAUGHED AT ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED!

This one is for Dr. V., the Prolia endocrinologist, who burst out laughing when my back broke (following the s****y medical advice I was given by Dr. Deluge, the retina doctor, who carelessly told me I had macular degeneration because I "was on Prolia.")

He jests at scars that never felt a wound

Romeo and Juliet: Balcony Scene Glossary (2.2)

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/balconyscene/jests.html

Glad to give you a moment's merriment, doctor!

                                             ###

TO SUE OR NOT TO SUE

 I keep asking myself (and repeating myself here): 

Would I sue the retina doctor who gave me such a dangerously inaccurate response to a very reasonable question: 

"Why do I have this retina condition?"   

My answer: No, I probably would not sue.  

I'm still enough of a lawyer to know that at my age, and at least still able to walk and take care of my basic needs, albeit in pain, and even though I have likely lost much enjoyable activity for the rest of my life, including events with family and friends,  and the travel I so looked forward to, what happened to me would not likely be worth much as I'd like in the eyes of a court or jury.  

Also I would likely run the risk that no other doctor in this town would ever want to touch me again.  

But mainly I'd probably forego legal action because no amount of money a court or jury might award could not remove the pain I live with each day or return to me my ability to enjoy travel or even informal get togethers with friends and family without pain.  

What would have been a correct answer to my very reasonable question as to why I had this eye condition?  I believe one good answer would have been "Because you have osteoporosis."  So I wonder: was a five syllable word just too much for this specialist's  highly schooled brain?  

Apparently so!  Because instead of this brief and correct answer, Dr. Timothy Flood carelessly tossed out the most dangerously incorrect answer imaginable:  "Because you are on Prolia!" And that was the end of that!    

Perhaps he really thought this was the connection -- although there would not be reliable information to support him. But I'll never know. 

But at the time, like a like a dumb-dope, I thought this fancy specialist knew what he was talking about!    I still do not know why I set aside my natural distrust of doctors at the time.  But I sure trusted the wrong one here!

It never occurred to me that he would give such a horribly wrong answer that would leave me in pain, perhaps for the rest of my life.      

It never occurred to me that I would wind up with poorly healed vertebrae and resulting pain to the extent that the travel and other activities I had looked forward to in retirement would be off the table.  

It never occurred to me that a specialist doctor with so much advanced training could so casually purvey such dangerous information.

Bottom line: No amount of money could repay what I have lost, including years of enjoyable activity as I approach the end of my life.  

I should probably give him an alias here.  Why?  Because a doctor so casually giving a patient a dangerously erroneous answer to a very legitimate question might be first in line to bring a defamation action against the patient they had so badly harmed with such a carelessly inaccurate answer to a question.  And of course there would be the embarrassment of revealing to the world that I was dumb enough to believe him in the first place!    

Back to the present: this is the season when in years past I would start planning a nice mid-winter getaway to someplace warm and sunny.  

Travel? Now?  I can't even drive a car!  Even walking a few blocks is painful, let alone handling luggage, dealing with airports or the rest of it.  

But for now let's just say that at least in my experience Dr. Timothy Flood was to the practice of medicine what Donald J. Trump was to the United States presidency: except the latter didn't leave me looking forward to a lifetime of disability and pain!

                                               ###