Health
Related: About this forummy sister's husband- a caution about harvoni.
so, some of you have been following my posts about my sister's race for county board (see sig), and might remember this thread about her husband's death-
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210561674
well, the autopsy results showed it was not a blood clot or an aneurysm, but "undiagnosed heart disease". complete blockage of 2 arteries, and hypertensive heart disease.
here is the thing- he was 63, had an extensive, serious, medical history, but nobody bothered to send him for a cardiac workup before surgery.
when she talked to the surgeon, he told her that both the interferon he was on for 2 years, and the harvoni that he had been on to clear his hepC, are KNOWN to have cardiac risks. (his pcp said- homna homna homna)
his death was completely preventable.
and this was at northwestern memorial hospital, one of the "best" in the country. 20 years a patient there.
emt's didnt exactly cover themselves w glory either. no defib.
grief is one thing, grief mixed w anger, self-blame, is a different, much knottier beast.
she is talking to a couple of lawyers, and plans to file a wrongful death suit. she says he would kill her if she didnt. a last battle to fight for him.
he was a year and a half away from a heritable pension.
hoping that considering all the money wrapped up in the drug will result in a quick and generous payment.
i have a friend who manages a law office that specializes in defending drug companies. she says there are lots of suits floating around out there on this drug.
i guess the days of trusting your doc are over. and doing your homework in the interweb age is fraught w bullshit.
lord help us all.
blue cat
(2,415 posts)Keep us updated.
pennylane100
(3,425 posts)The doctor who caused this man's death should lose his license.
elleng
(130,861 posts)Can't begin to contemplate or absorb this! Always thinking of you (ALL!)
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)I hope your sister sues, because I imagine she'll win. Our medical establishment is a mess. My hope is that suits over things like this will help them "see the light" and do better.