A New Year

It may be a new year but old habits never seem to die. At a recent visit to the hospital at 9th and Walnut, I received another verbal threat from a member of  the security staff of Jefferson Hospital. I no sooner placed my chair on the sidewalk outside the hospital when a security staff member told me to move to the other side of the street or I would be removed by their personnel. I told this officer that if any attempt was made to remove me or assault me in any way that I would immediately call the Philadelphia Police as I did during the summer of 2010.

The vast majority of employees at the Neurosciences building are doing their very best to keep me from getting the truth out about what happened to me in 2006. The professional staff which includes the doctors and many nurses have publicly supported the actions of Dr. Andrews despite the real facts in this case. The facts are my own medical records and they are not in dispute. No representitives of the hospital have ever denied that the records I now hold are the true hospital records that they have in their possession, from the CEO, Thomas Lewis to Dr. Rosenwasser, Chair Department of Neurologic Surgery. This is why they have continued their attempts to discredit me and remove me from the sidewalk outside their building. They have resorted to threats and  intimidation even after being warned by the police. They realize that I'm using my own medical records from their hospital to tell my story. And the story is ugly!

Beef and Beer Benefit

Friday night March 25, 2011 will be an evening that Jayne and I will never forget. We have shared many memorable moments together in the past 34 years but not all have been wonderful. However, this evening brought tears to both of us not only because of all the hard work by our wonderful friends but the show of support by so many people, some of whom we didn't even know. So many people donated gift baskets, money, their own time and supplies for the event. And this was all done with one goal in mind: to help a husband and wife that have struggled with some difficult medical problems over the past 5 years. As I said last evening, Jayne and I are a very private couple who have never shared our problems with other people nor have we spoken of the difficult times we have experienced in the past. It is all the more amazing to know that some of those people that worked tirelessly to make this event possible have themselves been through enormously difficult times in the past. The generosity offered in both time, effort and donations is greatly appreciated by my family and we will forever be grateful.

Jefferson Hospital Employees

I know it's been awhile since you last saw me outside of your hospital passing out my medical records and displaying my sign. I know there is no disappointment not seeing me there. However, I have some good news. Besides the grass and flowers that come with every new Spring, there is also the reemergence of your most dispised patient. The cold weather has kept me away over the last several months. I will be appearing along with my sign and records in the next few weeks. I know you will be looking out for me as you usually do. Do you remember the incident last summer when one of your security guards told me to get off his sidewalk or he would throw me into the street. My oldest daughter does because she was standing next to my chair when he said that. It was the Phila Police who were called to prevent that tragedy.  Or maybe you remember the incident that took place in July of 2006 on the ground floor of your hospital at the 9th street entrance. It was when Dr. Andrews rushed me back into the hospital to remove the shunt that just a day earlier had said was not infected. Yes, this is also part of the records in my possession. The 2 receptionists at there desks that day would witness one of the most disturbing and disgusting events while employed at Jefferson Hospital. An extremely ill patient with a life treatening brain infection falls out of his chair while sitting in front of these two woman. While his wife and oldest daughter watch in horror he is left to lay on the floor for 45 minutes while screaming from the excrutiating pain coming from his head. Jayne and Jenna did everthing they could to get help. Security guards walked by along with other hospital staff but no one rendered any help. An intern finally came down from the sixth floor and told my wife that they had no beds for me and thats why they couldn't take me up stairs right away. They continued to argue until the doctor wrote my wife a prescription for pain medication which my wife had to get filled at the pharmacy on Walnut st. Jenna waited with me as I continued to lie on the floor. These are only a few of the horriffic events that took place while at Jefferson. And this is what the general public, print media and televison will learn as time goes on.
I came to your hospital for help in 2006. I trusted your doctors and staff and because I did, I am now very sick for which you claim no responsibility. The most damaging of your medical records have been posted on the internet for all to view. They have been distributed by me in front of your hospital. This distruction will continue unabated.
Your hospitals reputation will continue to suffer. The doctors and nurses who support Dr. Andrews and his staff are as guilty as they are for not saying anything and stnding by his decisions. When your reputations are destroyed along with the hospitals reputation, don't blame me for what I did. Blame yourselves for what you didn't do.

It only takes one rogue reporter or someone's connection to print media.

Dr. Chee Woo: Absence with Malice

I know it has been awhile since my last entry. I continue to be in a lot of pain with no relief as yet. I have been spending the previous weeks obtaining approval from my insurance company to have a procedure done that would hopefully provide some relief. We had to jump through a number of hurdles not to mention the additional cost that Keystone insurance would not cover. We finally got the procedure approved and on February 14, I went into Abington Hospital's pain management facility on Blair Mill rd. in Horsham. I was approved for an Occipital Nerve Stimulator trial. I went into the facility on Monday afternoon and the surgery began soon after. The trial procedure involves the placement of a battery pack on your shoulder which they tape down. The battery pack has 2 wire leads which run up the back of the neck and then are inserted under the scalp with large needles. The wires are placed over the occipital nerves. The other end of this battery pack has a long wire which attaches to a control box. This control box sends a shock or pulsing sensation through the wire and across the occipital nerve in an attempt to confuse the occipital nerve so it won't continue to send pain signals to the brain. The device can be turned up or down by the user depending on the pain there in.
When the procedure was complete and I was awake, a representative from Medtronics explained to my wife and I how the device works and what to expect. I was told not to shower or get anything wet. This was supposed to be a 5 day trial and if it worked they would permanently implant the entire device inside of me which is a more involved operation and is done in the hospital. I went home Monday evening and was in severe pain from the surgery which, they expected I would be. By Tuesday morning most of the stabbing pain was gone from the needles they used. About 11:00 am I felt a sharp pain coming from the right side of my head. It was the equivalent of getting a shock from an outlet. I quickly disconnected the wire from the control box to stop the pain. I had my wife take a look at the back of my head and she said the right wire was completely out and the left one was loose as well as most of the tape. I ended up back at the pain management facility Tuesday afternoon where Dr. Jaffe removed the device completely. I asked Dr. Jaffe why anyone would perform this procedure knowing it had to stay in place for more than 4 days and tape it up in the manner that Dr. Woo did? He answered me by saying that if he had done this and expected it to stay that way for 4 days , that he would have put me in a neck collar. He said there was no expectation this would stay in place. I proceeded to contact Keystone Insurance and file a complaint against the facility and Dr. Woo. I went to see Dr. Woo on Friday, February 18 to discuss what happened. He already knew I was dissatisfied because he had been contacted by Keystone Insurance. I asked him how anyone could possibly think that taping that battery pack to my shoulder and the wires to the back of my head would stay in place for more than 4 days without moving. I told him what Dr.Jaffe had discussed with my wife and I on Tuesday and he got even angrier. I told him that as soon as my shoulder moved the battery pack also moved and started pulling on the wires. As my neck started to move it pulled on the tape. I also told him that I had gone on-line and researched occipital nerve simulators and it listed information on the procedure such as strain relief on the wire and sutures on the wires to the scalp. Dr. Woo did none of these. These wires were run directly from the battery pack right into my scalp. He couldn't possibly believe they would stay there. And to add insult to injury he told me if I wanted to try the procedure again I should go back to Jefferson Hospital. His suggestion is not only callous and thoughtless, it is also very much in step with the treatment I received from Jefferson Hospital in 2006 and it is why I am so sick today. And Dr. Woo was more than familiar with what happened to me at Jefferson Hospital and to suggest I would set foot in that hospital again is the equivalent of sticking a knife in my back. Thanks for nothing.

Keystone Insurance Letter

Jayne's Story

It has been 34 years since I first met Hal and I knew when I met him that I had something special. I found my best friend. He was always a hard working individual always making time to help someone else even though he had not the time or money. I would later see this quality in him when he reached out to help his own family members even at a time when we had little money and a very sick child stricken with cancer.
We have always been a very private family, unwilling to talk about our problems but instead just plow on with life and hope for the best. This is what we have tried so desperately to do over the past four and a half years. It hasn't been easy. I thought I lost Hal on two occasion's in the spring and summer of 2006. It was a miracle he didn't die. Few people knew what we were going through at the time. One very special person who helped me and our family survive this horrific period was Ed McGarry. He had been working with Hal during this time and if not for him we would have lost the business back then. He stuck with us and even rushed Hal to the hospital a year later after he collapsed on a job.
This is difficult to talk about even now because we never expected to be in this position. We thought there would be a cure for all the horrible things Jefferson hospital did to my husband. Little did we know that things would end up as they have. My husband is still a fighter. That is what attracted me to him  34 years ago. We will be married 30 years this spring and, I have never seen him more determined to get justice from those responsible for this horror. When the weather is good and he feels up to it he will still sit outside the neuroscience building and talk to people about what happened. As sick as he is he doesn't give up because he has realized from talking to all the people that he isn't just fighting for himself anymore, but for all the people that have been harmed by this hospital. Hundreds of people have told my husband horrible stories about the way they were treated. Some have even removed there family members from the hospital. Others tell him they will never go there for medical treatment.
This is the horror that has consumed our lives over the past four and a half years. It has been filled with uncertainty and doubt about where this will all end. Numerous treatments and drugs have been tried and have failed during this time. The only hope we believe we have is to bring this horrible story to the fore front of the medical world and the media. We are asking all those that know us and all those that have read the blog to call and write Jefferson hospital in condemnation for what they have done. We also ask that they call the local media T.V. and newspapers and make them aware of what is going on at Jefferson hospital. If by some miracle there is a cure or relief it will only come if more people know what happened and Hal is able to afford the care. I need my best friend.

Doctor's Notes

Letter to Insurance Companies

All those who read this blog are free to copy and distribute any portion, including any and all medical notes from Jefferson Hospital that I might post now and in the future.

New Year

As we enter a new year it is our hope that a resolution can be found for this continuing pain. I continue to see my neurologist to discuss my options and have recently changed my medication again. When the whether gets better and warmer, I will once again be a presence down at Jefferson hospital. I appreciate all those that have viewed this blog and hope you are passing it on to as many people as you know. Also, if there is anyone who has any contacts in the media, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again and have a good new year.

Applewood Elfs

When you least expect it your friends and neighbors are there to lend a hand in a difficult time. A time made more difficult because we know this is the last holiday season in the home where so many wonderful events took place over the last 22 years. The generosity and concern that people have shown has been overwhelming to us. What will make this Christmas the most memorable is not the things we couldn't do or have but, the memories and friendships we made and to have experienced the compassion of neighbors to reach out to other neighbors. We are very grateful for all that you have done.

Jayne, Hal, Brynne and Mya

Insurance Fraud

Keystone insurance has spent in excess of a half of a million dollars in treating me since this tragedy began. Most of it has been wasted on tests, hospitalizations, drugs, doctors visits. All this money wasted and no one asks any questions. And they will keep on wasting millions more until I die. If the doctor had only done his job correctly from the beginning without malice and carelessness, I would not be in the position I am in now and the insurance company would have saved allot of money. And I'm only one patient. Think of all the people this has happened to and the insurance just pays the bill no questions asked. There is no other service in America where the consumer doesn't deal directly with the provider. If you buy a product and are dissatisfied you return it with a refund. If a service is provided for you and you are unhappy, you don't pay.

Insurance companies are paying out billions of dollars each year on behalf of dissatisfied consumers because you're not paying the bill and they don't know what level of service you received or even if the service was provided. It should make you sick. I intend to notify the management of Keystone Health Plans of exactly what has happened and, all of the other insurance providers that Jefferson does business with. I also intend to contact the attorney generals office and make them aware of this. There needs to be an investgation because this is all costing the citizens more in health care coverage every year.

Still in pain

Since my return home from the hospital on December 3, I have been in a lot of pain. I am no longer on I.V. medication. I am trying new medications which up to this point have not worked. I went into the hospital on December 9 for a procedure that would freeze the occipital nerves and hopefully reduce the pain. This did not work. I once had an extremely high tolorence for pain. I was able to survive a heart attack at 38 years old that should have killed me. I survived the meningitis as well. There have been other injuries along the way and I managed them. This however, has finally consumed my life. I need to find a cure because I am no longer able to manage the pain.

A week not to remember

I,m sorry for not keeping in touch with all of those wonderful people following this blog however, I was in Abington Hospital from November 26 until December 3. I experienced severe head pain and uncontrollable shaking on Friday morning following Thanksgiving and, I had my younger daughter take me to the hospital. I spent the week on several different IV drug trials trying to control the pain. Since the doctors don't really know what is causing the severe pain there method of treatment up to now is to try several medications for migraines for a period of time to see if it brings me any relief. I feel like a lab rat at times on all these different drugs but, I know that there is no other alternitive. Jayne and my girls are keepimg my spirits up and the fact that I can communicate this story to all of my friends old and new is a huge relief. I am in the process of applying for long term SSI benefits but expect that it will take 4 to 6 months. The hardest thing to deal with besides the medical problems is that I have to give up a business that for 23 years has been our whole life. There is much uncertainty going forward but, I will not give up until Jefferson Hospital deals with the situation they've put my family in. Thanks again for all the support, it helps more than you know.

Thanksgiving

I didn't have a good day on Thanksgiving. I woke up shaking and in more pain than the day before. I laid in bed as my wife and daughter made Thanksgiving dinner. All I do and all I can do is replay this horrible tragedy in my mind. I was in that much pain. I used to think four years ago at some point my pain would decrease. I used to have hope. My only hope now is that some doctor somewhere will get this message. Some doctor will act with some compassion and show the same determination that I always had in my life to do my work. My only positive thought was that someone commented on my blog. 2 out of now 550 people commented. I wonder what is keeping people from commenting.

I also thought about what I was thankful for and cried most of the day thinking about how I got to this point. Some of my tears were because of the selfless acts of people I don't even know.  I made it down to the dinner table to eat Thanksgiving dinner, a dinner that people I don't even know donated to my family so we could celebrate the holiday. Decorations were hung up around the house from children at my daughter's school where she works. I am very thankful for all the support this school has given my family. My wife said the prayer and I thought about how this would be our last Thanksgiving in this house. My Thanksgiving ended after dinner as I was in too much pain and needed to go back to bed.

It is in times like this that we truly reflect on what it means to be thankful. My life at this point consists of drug trials and hospital visits. When I am awake I play with my dog and try to watch old shows I used to like. I watch people during this time of year run around spending money and fight with crowds to get the best deals. That seems to be what many people are thankful for during this time of year...the holiday sales. However, I am thankful for life. I am thankful that my family is by my side and they are fighting with me. I am thankful for people viewing this blog and hearing my story. Thank you.

November 24th Visit to Jefferson

I went down to Jefferson in my usual spot from 8:30 to 12:30 on Wednesday morning. I passed out about 40 copies of my doctor's notes with this blog address. A few people took pictures of me with my sign.  Every night I monitor the stats to check up on how many people view this each day. There have been 500 people so far. It seems there are more views when I am able to go down to Jefferson and pass out my doctor's notes. At this point, I am not sure how much I can go down to Jefferson anymore as I am in the hospital right now. This blog is my only hope at this point. Someone will pass this on to the right person. If there is anyone with any connections to the media that would be a great help. Please help me pass this along. Jefferson will hopefully soon get this blog.

9th and Walnut Nov 19

I was at Jefferson Hospital with my sign and letters Friday morning from 8:00 am. until 12:00. I passed out over 50 and spoke to many people who were very supportive. There was the usual crowd of Jefferson employees who were ignorant towards me. There were however, a few employees who took the letters and listened to what I had to tell them. They know the truth and soon many more people will.

Thanks for all your support and keep passing on this message.

hal's medical story

It was a rough weekend. I was in alot of pain and it was difficult to deal with. I did, however spend some of the weekend thinking about my situation and how I got where I am today. I also thought about all those wonderful people I met while sitting in front of Jefferson Hospital with that sign in front of me. During the months of June, July and August, I was fortunate to meet some terrific people who stopped to talk to me and listen to my story. Many people accepted the doctors office notes from May 4,2006 and after reading them where completely disgusted. They asked me how any doctor could stitch up a patient after observing spinal fluid leaking from their head. Unfortunately, it's a question I've been asking myself for four and a half years. Some answers came this summer when I was sitting in front of Jefferson Hospital. Along with the wonderful people I did meet, I also met the dark side of this whole tragedy. With few exceptions, the Jefferson Hospital employees, including doctors, nurses and clerical staff where ignorant and threatening. On two occasions, the security personnel attempted to arrest me while I was sitting in my chair. On both occasions, I called the Phila Police Dept and they responded by telling Jefferson security to leave me alone and that I had every right to be there. On one Saturday afternoon, Dr Andrews confronted me on the corner of Ninth and Walnut. He questioned why I was there and why I kept coming down to the hospital. He was upset that I was handing out his office notes from May 4, 2006.When I asked him how he could stitch a patient up and send him home after knowing spinal fluid had been leaking for 2 weeks and witnessing this in his office, he responded by saying that any problems I have are not a result of anything he did. He yelled at me for what I was doing and than left. On several other occasions, employees spit on the sign while walking by.

I also had the unfortunate opportunity to speak with Dr. Rosenwasser who is the chiarman of the neurosciences dept. I informed him of all the horrific things that occured to me during the spring and summer of 2006. I asked him if he had seen Dr. Andrew's office notes from May 4, 2006. He said that he read them and that he couldn't find fault in anything he did. When I asked Dr.Rosenwasser if he would treat his own mother the way I was treated he didn't respond. I also spoke to Thomas Lewis who is the CEO of Jefferson Hospital. His response was the same. They all support what this doctor did to me.

He Stitched Me Up In His Office While Viewing Spinal Fluid Running Down My Neck and Knowing It Had Been Leaking For Two Weeks. He Stitched Me Up And Sent Me Home To Die. What Else Did He Think Would Happen. Less Than 40 Hours later That is What Nearly Happened. The Medical Reports Speak For Themselves. Treated For Bacterial Meningitis That Should Have Killed Me If Not For My Wife's Quick Action At Home.

So instead of dying on May 6, 2006, I have been left with permanent brain damage and severe disabeling injuries that leave me unable to work or do the things that I used to do. I've lost nearly 40 pounds in the last five months. My body shakes uncontrollably at times and I am on narcotic pain medication that hardly seems worth it.

A more depressing part is that the hospital has a Patients Bill Of Rights. If you go on there website you will see the hypocrisy that has become my story. I would ask anyone who reads this to call, Email and write the CEO Thomas Lewis or Lorraine King, the president of the medical staff and ask them how they can justify the near murder of one of their patients.

Hals medical story

I had a very bad day on Thursday and didn't get out of bed much. The head pain was extremely bad and the medicine didn't help much. Friday was much better. I rested alot and wasn't as dependent on the medicine. I took our dog outside and he was able to get some fresh air. I don't get out much and I look forward to when my wife is home so she can take me out.

Keep on reading and forwarding this blog and comment when you can. THANKS

Hals medical story

It was a difficult day for most of the morning. I couldn't stop shaking. I'm not sure the medicine is strong enough, but I will check with my doctor. The afternoon was better but I was very tired. I hope more people join in this blog. I am open for any advice. If anyone has any contacts with the media this would be really helpful. Again Thanks.

11/10/10

I appreciate every ones help and responses and if you can keep forwarding this link to all those you know you will help my family's cause greatly. Thanks again. My head pain is still serious and debilitating. It has caused uncontrollable shaking at times. I am getting through the days on different drugs for the pain with the hope that something will work. Thanks for caring, Hal, Jayne and the girls

Information on bacterial meningitis



Visit this link for information about symptoms of meningitis. See the long term effects of what Dr. Andrews did to me.

Hal Backer's Medical Tragedy at Jefferson Hospital

My medical conditions began in 2006. I had terrible pain in my face which I came to find out was a disorder called Trigeminal Neuralgia. After numerous years and unsuccessful attempts at treating this disorder with drugs, I consulted with many neurologists, including Dr. David Andrews at Jefferson Hospital for neurosciences in Philadelphia. Dr. Andrews completed an evaluation and determined that I was a good candidate for a surgery called microvascular decompression. He operated on or about April 17^th, 2006 and as a result did in fact cure that particular disease.

However, while home recovering for two weeks,I was unaware that I was leaking spinal fluid from the surgical site. I went back for my two week follow-up with Dr. Andrews and made him aware that my neck always seemed wet and my pillow was damp when I woke up not knowing if the wetness was from my mouth. When Dr. Andrews examined the site of the wound he said it wasn’t sweat but a CSF leak, or a cerebral spinal fluid leak. His doctor’s notes read;

“Mr. Backer returns for his postoperative check. He is pain-free. The caudal portion of the wound reveals a small what appears to be a CSF leak. This was sterilely prepped and resutured in the office. I will see him back in one week’s time for a wound check”. –May 4, 2006

Following that office visit on Thursday, my head pain was worse than ever which the doctor had attributed to the post-op surgery and would get better at any time. On Saturday morning, May 6^th, 2006 (less than 40 hours after my visit with Dr. Andrews), I collapsed in my bedroom with excruciating and unrelenting head pain. The pain was so bad I couldn’t walk or talk. Only screams came out from the top of my lungs as if I was being murdered. Fortunately my wife was home and rushed to my side; however, I was unable to communicate. I couldn’t express my pain and her adrenaline took over and she helped me down the stairs and rushed me to a local hospital. When we arrived at the hospital she was unable to tell the attending doctors what was wrong with me, but spoke of my medical concerns with the CSF leak over the last few days. The doctors assumed that I had contracted bacterial meningitis and as such began treating me for it with antibiotics. After reducing some of the pain, they completed a spinal tap. This revealed the extremely elevated white cell count, confirming the meningitis.

There was no doubt at that point from the doctors or anyone else who attended to me that morning that I would have died had my wife not been home to get me to the hospital.

I spent the next week in the hospital receiving numerous drugs for bacterial meningitis and then was sent home with a pick line and a 2 week supply of more antibiotics. We were told by the attending doctors at the hospital that if there were any future complications that we were to go back to Jefferson to see Dr. Andrews and not to return to there hospital for treatment.

It was at that moment when we realized that something had gone terribly wrong at Jefferson.

We were told by numerous doctors and nurses that a patient who has an open wound to his brain and spine for 2 weeks should have been admitted back to Jefferson after the initial doctor’s visit with Dr. Andrews. The doctors own office notes indicate a presence of an active cerebral spinal fluid leak and all he did was put a single stitch in my head and send me home, SEALING MY FATE!

Based on these medical records alone, prosecutors over the years have declared that had I died that morning in my bedroom, Dr. David Andrews would have been charged with negligent homicide.

As a result of this tragedy, I was admitted 7 more times to Jefferson Hospital. I had water on the brain, or hydrocephalus, for nearly a month that went untreated. They surgically implanted a shunt in my brain to relieve the pressure. Even after the shunt was put in, I continued to have severe and unrelenting head pain or global headaches. I was in and out of the hospital a number of times describing the excruciating pain and all Dr. Andrews continued to do was adjust the shunt. None of these hospitalizations and adjustments seemed to make any difference in the level of pain I was experiencing. At one point I saw him in his office with my wife at my side and I was holding my head in unbearable pain.

I screamed at Dr. Andrews, “I can’t take the pain anymore. You have done everything but kill me! Please do something!”

Dr. Andrews looked at me in a state of confusion. He responded, “You don’t have a fever and you don’t appear to have an infection where the shunt was put in so I don’t really know what to do for you!”

At that point seeing the anger and pain in mine and my wife’s faces, he said he could tap the shunt and take a fluid sample and, he did just that. He gave me a prescription to get blood work done. The next morning I went to Quest in Abington at approximately 6:30am. While I was in the chair having my blood drawn, my phone rang twice. I didn’t answer either call and left the facility and went to McDonalds to get some coffee and something to eat. When I retrieved the messages and the first one was from Dr. Andrews. The only message was that it was urgent and that I needed to call him right away. Following that call the Dr. Andrew’s nurse called. Her message stated that it was urgent that I get to the hospital for emergency surgery to remove the shunt because it was infected. By the time I had returned home, there were 4 or 5 more messages all pleading with me to call the hospital right away to come have the operation. I called the hospital and spoke to the doctor’s nurse who explained the severity of the operation. She asked if I had eaten anything yet and I said, “Yes.” She said that it didn’t matter and asked how soon I could be down to Jefferson. I told her it would take me about 2 hours to get myself there at which point she said that the admitting staff would be notified that I was coming and they would have a bed ready for me. I would go in for surgery shortly after arriving.

I arrived at the hospital with my oldest daughter and wife. My daughter walked me down the street off of

9^th street

while my wife parked the car. I sat in a chair in front of one of the receptionists and was so sick and dizzy with pain that I rolled off the chair and onto the floor. The two women registering patients had no idea who I was or why I was there. I lay on the floor in a fetal position, screaming and holding my head, while my daughter and wife started arguing with the staff for assistance. Numerous calls were made upstairs to locate Dr. Andrews and/or someone from his staff. Finally, an intern came down and she and my wife argued back and forth while I lay on the floor in excruciating pain. She told my wife they had no bed upstairs to put me in and would not give me any pain medication because I was not assigned a bed. After more hollering and screaming, the doctor finally wrote my wife a prescription for pain medication. While I lay there screaming, she had to walk around the building to the pharmacy and fill a prescription for pain medication. Shortly after this, the nurse came down with a wheel chair and within forty-five minutes got me into surgery. I ended up lying on the hospital floor for nearly forty-five minutes with no medication and no hospital help after I was specifically told to come down immediately for emergency surgery and the staff would know of my arrival.

After my last surgery in late July of 2006, I was released from Jefferson Hospital and never went back again. In the months following this horror, I attempted to see several neurologists concerning my relentless head pain. After reviewing my medical files and listening to my story, each neurologist said they were sorry about what happened to me and indicated that there was nothing they felt like they could do for me. As time went on, the pain never got better and since got progressively worse. There have been numerous hospitalizations, more than a dozen MRI’s/cat-scans of the brain, blood tests, consultations and various drug trials to treat migraine headaches. I have taken at one time or another various narcotics for pain all of which fall short.

It’s been four and a half years since this tragedy and I can no longer work as a self-employed contractor. My arms and legs are constantly shaking, I have lost my short term memory and in just the last 6 months from April until November I have lost 40 pounds. Besides not having a way to make a living anymore, we now have to sell our home.

I don’t know how much time I have left, but this story needs to be told so that other patients of Jefferson Hospital don’t fall victim to the careless, reckless, and callous acts perpetrated by Dr. Andrews, his staff and the administration who supports him. If anyone should doubt any of these facts they only need to call me, email me, and write me and I will present my complete medical history not only from Jefferson Hospital, but from Abington and my own family doctor.

FACTS DON’T LIE!

Written by Hal Backer

267-312-6602

hbacker@comcast.net