Real life stories
“Beyond the Protocol
In 2020, my 64-year-old mother was hospitalized, awaiting a transplant. However, her severe hypertension made the procedure impossible. Her liver damage, resulting from a contaminated blood transfusion in the 1970s, had progressed over the years.
Dr. Dre, admitted nearby for a brain aneurysm, received family visits. Yet, we were barred from seeing our dying mother due to COVID-19 protocols. The hospital’s inconsistency and neglect were devastating:
- Ignoring our daily calls and pleas.
- Putting us on hold, never returning to the phone.
- Confiscating my mother’s phone, placing it out of reach.
- Silencing her concerns, knowing she’d expose their negligence.
- Undermining her autonomy, despite her medical expertise and Power of Attorney.
As a medical professional with years of experience in ICU and unit secretary roles, my mother understood her care. She knew her rights were being violated. The hospital’s priorities were clear: certain patients received preferential treatment.
I recently discovered Dr. Dre’s video, thanking the hospital for allowing his family visits. His words reopened old wounds. But here’s the stark reality:
Dr. Dre’s family was by his side, supposedly because he was ‘dying.’ Meanwhile, my mother was actually dying, mere doors away in the same ICU unit. How could the hospital justify this disparity? Was it mere coincidence that Dr. Dre, a celebrity, received special treatment? Or was something more at play? Why did the hospital show compassion to Dr. Dre’s family but deny us the same? Didn’t my mother’s life, her love, and her family deserve equal compassion?
In desperation, I considered sneaking into the hospital, disguising myself as staff. When we finally arrived after receiving the devastating news, I found my mother:
- Frail and unrecognizable.
- Restrained.
- Vomit and blood on her face.
- Surrounded by indifference.
I cleaned and dressed her in a pink nightgown, giving her dignity and respect. The doctor reassured us she was going to be 100% OK, comparing my mother to another patient who had just received a transplant and was doing well. But how could he make such a comparison when he knew they couldn’t control her hypertension, making the situation impossible?
My mother died alone, left with restraints on her wrists and ankles. The hospital’s response to my brother’s letters was heartbreaking. They seemed to imply that because my mother wasn’t a celebrity, her life and struggles were less significant. But to us, she was a child of God, a hard-working woman, and highly respected.
My mother’s story is a testament to the power of advocacy. Let’s continue to demand compassion, equality, and justice in healthcare.”
Real Life Stories
