Today's Court of Opinion
Was it time or did someone help...27 total reviews
Comment from Judy Lawless
This is a fun way that you set this up, Carol. I'm not sure if I should be weighing in, but here's my two cents worth anyway. You are absolutely right that as long as Mike still had the will to live, and you were able to take care of him, Dr. Darkness had no right to make that decision. In Canada it would be illegal without consent. I don't know about US law. Hugs.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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This is a fun way that you set this up, Carol. I'm not sure if I should be weighing in, but here's my two cents worth anyway. You are absolutely right that as long as Mike still had the will to live, and you were able to take care of him, Dr. Darkness had no right to make that decision. In Canada it would be illegal without consent. I don't know about US law. Hugs.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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I think it should be, but I do know it had something to do with medicare... that's what I was told... but if medicare would pay for hospice why wouldn't they pay for hospital care... and disconnecting him while I was gone... I hope the man can live with himself until he meets our Lord. Smiles, Carol
Comment from Leann DS
You get six stars for many reasons, one of which is because I am one of the jurors! Also, this is a damn creative way to tell this story.
Now, onto the case...
What the hell?! When you went home from the hospital that night, was Mike alert and well? what was the diagnosis that originally had Dr. Darkness recommend hospice? what was the vascular surgeon saying as far as a prognosis?
That sounds like murder to me. I am so sorry that this happened to you and Mike.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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You get six stars for many reasons, one of which is because I am one of the jurors! Also, this is a damn creative way to tell this story.
Now, onto the case...
What the hell?! When you went home from the hospital that night, was Mike alert and well? what was the diagnosis that originally had Dr. Darkness recommend hospice? what was the vascular surgeon saying as far as a prognosis?
That sounds like murder to me. I am so sorry that this happened to you and Mike.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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the picture you see is after the surgery on Thursday... I went home Friday night..we'd laughed and joked all day long. When I came back in the morning... everything was different. They said his body was shutting down...(what changed it so fast) He'd recommended hospice for the two prior hospital visits as well... He said it was for my benefit and so Mike didn't come back to the hospital. Dr. Kikta was always honest and said Mike was living on borrowed time...but he also was amazed and said well he keeps on coming back. I will always think the Dr. murdered him by taking him off everything and saying now wait for him to die. God will punish him since I can't. Smiles, Carol
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Sorry, I could not see the photo. I'm sure you question hospital personnel who witnessed what happened. With affidavits and witness testimony to show that Mike was on the mend, I think you would have a chance at winning a civil case, if not a criminal case. sadly, it won't bring back Mike, but it may prevent this from happening to someone else in the future. in any case, God will be his judge in the end.
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well, that was real dumb of me, wasn't it? It's a picture of Mike sitting in one of those hanging lifts.. He's smiling a quirky smile and if one examines it closely...he's giving me the bird...So typical Mike. it was a look of despondency or finality...
Comment from Sherry Asbury
I am livid and aghast at the pomposity of this doc...Our lives are precious to us and as for me - facing situations...I want every breath I am entitled to!! My choice was to go to Assisted Living where I have help if I need it and wonderful caregivers who go above and beyond...God love you, dear one. This was written extremely well and is touching beyond words. May you have peace now.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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I am livid and aghast at the pomposity of this doc...Our lives are precious to us and as for me - facing situations...I want every breath I am entitled to!! My choice was to go to Assisted Living where I have help if I need it and wonderful caregivers who go above and beyond...God love you, dear one. This was written extremely well and is touching beyond words. May you have peace now.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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thank you Sherry... I agree. It should have been our choice. He was only a hospital doctor who had no idea of Mike's medical background other than what he read. My husband had fought back time and time again. He should have had that chance again. Thank you so much for your kindness. Smiles, Carol
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Wonderful write!!!
Comment from Carol Clark2
This is well written. I like the way you chose the jury members for their various qualities -- a well-balanced group. I am speechless that you were told not to return to the hospital, and also that you were not consulted about disconnecting Mike from dialysis. Dr. D. obviously knew you were able to make decisions, and he should have talked with you.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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This is well written. I like the way you chose the jury members for their various qualities -- a well-balanced group. I am speechless that you were told not to return to the hospital, and also that you were not consulted about disconnecting Mike from dialysis. Dr. D. obviously knew you were able to make decisions, and he should have talked with you.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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All he did is kept telling me I was torturing my husband by bringing him to the hospital... As you can see by the picture he wasn't looking like he was going to die. Thanks for the kind review. Smiles, Carol
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It would have been worse if you hadn't taken Mike to the hospital! I'm with you on this one. Carol :)
Comment from robyn corum
Carol,
WHAT??!!!! This juror may be supposed to meet with the others before making any hasty statements, but I have to admit, this doctor's actions seem rash and godlike. There may be more to the story that none of us are smart enough to understand in the lay world, but like you, I would have thought your guy has a right to live until he's dead. Who is any doctor to say how that happens? He's supposed to deal with the problems that are directly pointed at him. Not others.
One note:
--> His (f)ood was gone.
I'm not sure what pursuing this will do, though. Unless you plan to sue? Be careful. You need to be sure to be focused on LIFE now, sweet girl. You cannot ever fix that stuff. It's over. (If he was wrong the doc shouldn't be able to do it again, sure.) But you shouldn't get hung up in a dark place. Just be careful.
I'm sending smooches and hugs --
Thanks for the honor.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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Carol,
WHAT??!!!! This juror may be supposed to meet with the others before making any hasty statements, but I have to admit, this doctor's actions seem rash and godlike. There may be more to the story that none of us are smart enough to understand in the lay world, but like you, I would have thought your guy has a right to live until he's dead. Who is any doctor to say how that happens? He's supposed to deal with the problems that are directly pointed at him. Not others.
One note:
--> His (f)ood was gone.
I'm not sure what pursuing this will do, though. Unless you plan to sue? Be careful. You need to be sure to be focused on LIFE now, sweet girl. You cannot ever fix that stuff. It's over. (If he was wrong the doc shouldn't be able to do it again, sure.) But you shouldn't get hung up in a dark place. Just be careful.
I'm sending smooches and hugs --
Thanks for the honor.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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It's stuff like this that I have let eat at me and I guess I need to let it go. My family says it won't make a difference and it will be too painful for me. I guess God will decide what the Dr. gets when its his time. As for me, I better never see him again. Smiles, Carol
Comment from lyenochka
Oh Carol! Sigh. At first, I loved your humorous summary of all of our works and was amazed at how you kept up with all these works as you know more writers than I do here! I'm so honored to be one of your jurors.
But my heart hurts to hear about what you went through!
You have to sue Dr. Darkness. Wasn't this just last year? You had Power of attorney for your husband. The doctor proceeded without consulting you. You need to get that doctor out of there so that he cannot kill more people.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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Oh Carol! Sigh. At first, I loved your humorous summary of all of our works and was amazed at how you kept up with all these works as you know more writers than I do here! I'm so honored to be one of your jurors.
But my heart hurts to hear about what you went through!
You have to sue Dr. Darkness. Wasn't this just last year? You had Power of attorney for your husband. The doctor proceeded without consulting you. You need to get that doctor out of there so that he cannot kill more people.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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My family wants me to leave it alone and move forward. i hate the fact that this man played God, but I guess the torture of suing and trial would bring so many bad memories too. He'll have to answer to God for his actions... I feel sorry for him then. Smiles, Carol
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I don't want to stress you by saying the opposite of your family's advice. I just want you to have peace of mind.
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I know and I certainly appreciate it. I've just got another major problem dropped on me like a bomb shell... wonder if and when any of this will ever stop. smiles, Carol
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Keep transferring to the Lord. He is our Burden Bearer. Don't carry that load or "bomb shell" on your own. 💖🙏
Comment from LJbutterfly
Through my tears I say Dr. Darkness should be found guilty of making an incorrect decision. If God allows one of his precious creations to exhibit joy and happiness, regardless to how sick the person may be, no other human should have the right to determine God was wrong. If a husband and wife enjoy one another, it's their decision alone on when and how life should end. Dr. Darkness had no right to take matters into his own hands without consent from you.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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Through my tears I say Dr. Darkness should be found guilty of making an incorrect decision. If God allows one of his precious creations to exhibit joy and happiness, regardless to how sick the person may be, no other human should have the right to determine God was wrong. If a husband and wife enjoy one another, it's their decision alone on when and how life should end. Dr. Darkness had no right to take matters into his own hands without consent from you.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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No he had no right to to make those decisions but the hospital stood behind him. I just need to let it go but sometimes it haunts me wondering how much longer I would have had Mike if it was not for this man's ego. thank you for the review. Smiles, Carol
Comment from Ric Myworld
I don't think there is any doubt that Dr. Darkness overstepped his bounds. From the looks of Mike one day after leg amputation, it sure looks like there was plenty of life left in him. Of course, I'm not a doctor, and there were obviously many underlying issues for a doctor to call in hospice. But to take him off his meds, IVs, and dialysis, appears cold, callous, downright ridiculous, and heartless. I don't care if it only bought him a day or two. If he wasn't suffering in extreme pain, and kept smiling and enjoying the company of his wife and family, why not buy him those few more days. I sometimes think doctors, and even nurses, can get hardened to what they see with such regularity. They start to see them as patients, not sons, brother, husbands, and fathers. Hang in there sweetheart, I know you miss him terribly. But never forget that this life is only preparing for the next one. The one that lasts forever, and where we will know everyone as we did on earth. Better times are coming, Carol!
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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I don't think there is any doubt that Dr. Darkness overstepped his bounds. From the looks of Mike one day after leg amputation, it sure looks like there was plenty of life left in him. Of course, I'm not a doctor, and there were obviously many underlying issues for a doctor to call in hospice. But to take him off his meds, IVs, and dialysis, appears cold, callous, downright ridiculous, and heartless. I don't care if it only bought him a day or two. If he wasn't suffering in extreme pain, and kept smiling and enjoying the company of his wife and family, why not buy him those few more days. I sometimes think doctors, and even nurses, can get hardened to what they see with such regularity. They start to see them as patients, not sons, brother, husbands, and fathers. Hang in there sweetheart, I know you miss him terribly. But never forget that this life is only preparing for the next one. The one that lasts forever, and where we will know everyone as we did on earth. Better times are coming, Carol!
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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I am glad to see you think the same as I do. I look at that picture and know how he was joking with us and wonder why. Even it it was one day or two... they were his to have. He had stage 5 kidney failure, congestive heart failure, diabetes and collapsing veins... but he kept fighting back. but I can't bring him back and probably he wouldn't want to come back to that anyways.... So I struggle to try and leave it in God's hands... I hope the gates slam in his face. Thanks for being my friend and for understanding. Smiles, Carol
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
Hello dear lady, I don't know who you are, as your name isn't on the story, but I'm very sorry to learn of your very dear husband's death, especially under the difficult and troubling circumstances you have described.
You have set up your story in a sweet and creative manner. Among the authors you've mentioned for your mock trial case, I am familiar with many of them, and you've made some excellent choices.
I heartily agree with you, that your Mike was entitled to every one of the days on earth that God ordained for him to have. Saving his life wasn't a decision either for "Dr. Darkness" or for Medicare to make; it was your husband's decision, and if he was unable to function, it was yours.
I was appalled to read, "We were discharged again with a warning not to bring him back to the hospital." I think that's absolutely crazy. If Mike needed medical care, you would have no choice but to bring him back to the hospital. He was still alive and kicking.
One place where I did see a possible legal issue was, "but unforeseen problems at Kikta's office prevented the surgery," referring to the amputation of Mike's big toe. Since six weeks went by, and the toe needed to be amputated, it's not surprising that the problem could spread to the foot and his leg. I am wondering why that never happened. He probably fell, while transferring from the chair to the bed, because of tissue damage and nerve death in the leg with the gangrene.
There was one confusing sentence, further down, when you described the scene, right before you brought him home from the hospital, two days before he died:
"His medications were gone. His water was gone. His good was gone... "
I didn't understand that last sentence, "His good was gone," unless it was a typo there.
It seems to me, that regardless of the amputation of his leg, Mike could have continued living, with continued medical treatments, for awhile longer. Whether for one week, six weeks, four months or a year, he had a right to that remaining time to live and to enjoy his life with you.
If I was on the jury, I would vote in Mike's favor.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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Hello dear lady, I don't know who you are, as your name isn't on the story, but I'm very sorry to learn of your very dear husband's death, especially under the difficult and troubling circumstances you have described.
You have set up your story in a sweet and creative manner. Among the authors you've mentioned for your mock trial case, I am familiar with many of them, and you've made some excellent choices.
I heartily agree with you, that your Mike was entitled to every one of the days on earth that God ordained for him to have. Saving his life wasn't a decision either for "Dr. Darkness" or for Medicare to make; it was your husband's decision, and if he was unable to function, it was yours.
I was appalled to read, "We were discharged again with a warning not to bring him back to the hospital." I think that's absolutely crazy. If Mike needed medical care, you would have no choice but to bring him back to the hospital. He was still alive and kicking.
One place where I did see a possible legal issue was, "but unforeseen problems at Kikta's office prevented the surgery," referring to the amputation of Mike's big toe. Since six weeks went by, and the toe needed to be amputated, it's not surprising that the problem could spread to the foot and his leg. I am wondering why that never happened. He probably fell, while transferring from the chair to the bed, because of tissue damage and nerve death in the leg with the gangrene.
There was one confusing sentence, further down, when you described the scene, right before you brought him home from the hospital, two days before he died:
"His medications were gone. His water was gone. His good was gone... "
I didn't understand that last sentence, "His good was gone," unless it was a typo there.
It seems to me, that regardless of the amputation of his leg, Mike could have continued living, with continued medical treatments, for awhile longer. Whether for one week, six weeks, four months or a year, he had a right to that remaining time to live and to enjoy his life with you.
If I was on the jury, I would vote in Mike's favor.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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Hi Mary.. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Carol and my stage is Begin Again because that's what my life is always about. Yes, I believe that doctor stole precious time from Mike and myself, but what's done is done. My family wants me to leave it alone. I must believe that God will serve him justice when his time comes. Smiles to you and thank you for the wonderful and understanding review. Always, Carol
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It's wonderful to make your acquaintance too, Carol! You have such a lovely profile picture.
My heart really goes out to you, for everything you went through with Mike. I'm sure he was a real soulmate to you. I hope your family is good to you, and I'm sure that God is! May He bless you, many times over.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from BethShelby
Personally, I think what happened is rotten and some doctors shouldn't be allowed to practice Medicine. Practically the same thing happened to me. I believe if I'd been in another hospital and had a different doctor the outcome would have been different, but I'm not going to write my story here. I would just say that the lawyer representing the doctor would kick me off of the jury because I have a deep prejudice in favor of the defense and unable to render a fair judgement.
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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Personally, I think what happened is rotten and some doctors shouldn't be allowed to practice Medicine. Practically the same thing happened to me. I believe if I'd been in another hospital and had a different doctor the outcome would have been different, but I'm not going to write my story here. I would just say that the lawyer representing the doctor would kick me off of the jury because I have a deep prejudice in favor of the defense and unable to render a fair judgement.
Comment Written 26-May-2021
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
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that's why you are listed as my compassionate friend. You'll hold your hand out and tell me it will be okay... and if we have to kick a few butts we can. LOL Thank you for the wonderful review. Smiles, Carol