Livewire

Thanks to everyone who wrote and sorry for the delay in writing back.  I'm stil waiting for the medical records even though the local Doctor wrote asking for them.  It's been over 3 weeks since they got her letter.  Apparently my insurance covers me for legal action against the hospital so it is now with their legal dept. Unfortunately my marriage broke totally down 3 wks ago and this time there is no return so am busy making arrangements to return to Britain.  My husband blames the operation for the breakdown of our marriage and for the first time ever he talked about what had happened to me last year, too little too late I'm afraid.  The only good thing is I'm determined to stay strong and build a new life for myself once I return home. Again thanks for the support.

Unfortunately the worst was not over as now my marriage has fallen apart.  This has toataly ruined   my life.  I don't feel 99% of the time that life is worth living all thanks to the so and so's over here.  I now just want to go home and forget this nightmare in my life.l  I have been trying since June to get copies of my medical records and now have had to ask my GP for help with this but still no joy.  I am mostly suicidal and the only thing that keeps me sane is my children in England, without their love and support I would not be here.  England might be hard to live in but it is far safer than this hell of a life we find here.

Meeting took place in June and went well.  Got an apology from Director and 3 others also the Dr for all that had got wrong.  Dr did try to deny some of the things he said at the initial meeting about my operation and was soon backed down when my friend said it was her who was also at this meeting and she could verify all that I was saying. Dr admitted he made a mistake so have asked for a copy of the minutes of the meeting but still waiting.  They have agreed to look at changing the way things are done and that all leaflets and information will also be translated into English.  So hopefully a big shake up and no other woman will have to suffer as I have.  I am still having nightmares about it and have to carry a cushion with me to sit on, as the pain can be unbearable in my spine.  Also still having panic attacks when faced with anything to do with the medical profession.  This operation was supposed to enhance my quality of life but I still can’t do what I used to and it is now over 11 months since the operation. I think I was very unlucky to have a Dr whose attitude was simply more of she’s English so I can do as I please. The members at the meeting  made me feel at ease and were in no way intimidating.  

Thanks for the reply. I am taking an English person with me but was a French teacher in England.  She was also witness (although only coming to translate) to the type of anaesthetic that the Dr agreed to use after I refused the epidural.  Operation was carried out after I was heavily sedated and then given just enough general to keep me asleep long enough for them to do the epidural.  Most peoples worst nightmare to wake up during an operation.  Was frozen in fear till sedation took over again. 

Hi, Can anyone tell me what happens at  a meeting with the compalaints committee of a hospital / clinic.  I made a complaint after a very traumatic experience in a private clinic.  After much research I discovered that had they not only broken 2 of their own patient charter rules they had in fact broken 4 of the EU rules regarding patients rights.  I have to face the Dr concerned and this is causing me considerable distress.  I do appreciate that this has to be done in order to resolve things. It has taken me nearly 7 months to get back to feeling anywhere near normal and now after being informed of the meeting I find that I can't sleep again because of the nightmares. I do hope someone can shed some light on this and put my mind at rest. I would just like to add that up until this time I could find no fault with the French health service.