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June 06, 2003-6:13 a.m. As if all of the drama from last week weren�t enough, my brother got a letter from the folks at Social Security Disability on Monday. Instead of the approval of benefits we�ve been anticipating for so long, this was a letter informing him that they had made an appointment for him to have a treadmill stress test on June 12th in a local doctor�s office. He has already seen this doctor once at the insistence of Social Security for an echocardiogram and ultrasound of the heart. This doctor is a GP, not a cardiologist. WTF? Did you not see the part of his info that says he has a bad heart and needs a heart transplant? Now you�re wanting to throw him on a treadmill and work him as hard as you can and see what happens? What kind of crap is that? There was a number to call on the letter if you or your doctor feel that you should not take this test. Naturally, since my brother has been taking cardiac rehab at the hospital and they�ve taken him as far as they feel is safe on the treadmill, he called. It seems his world famous cardiologist who could give a crap about him didn�t return the forms to Social Security. He also contends that he doesn�t have my brother�s files in either of his offices. They are at the hospital. Not to worry, though, because he remembers this case. Unlikely at best if you ask me. He also had his nurse call my brother about the test and tell him that he wouldn�t object if it were done at the hospital in case anything happens. It�s becoming glaringly apparent that this doctor is motivated by money rather than care and concern for his patients. It is my most sincere wish that this ass burns in a unique and especially tortuous Hell. My brother�s primary doctor stringently objected to having him endure the test. Bubba has been in the hospital since his first appointment with the doctor Social Security had him see and they�ve put him on a nitro patch as a result. Social Security has faxed yet another form to the cardiologist asking about whether he thinks Bubba should take the treadmill test. With any luck whatsoever, he�ll do the right thing and send this back saying he objects to have this test conducted in a GP�s office. Bubba�s caseworker also told him that she had been set to approve him for disability when a doctor there kicked it back for the treadmill test. I wonder what sort of liability he has if anything happens. Being a government worker�probably none! **Disclaimer: All characters in this diary are fictional. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, real or imagined, is purely coincidental and unintentional.** |
