Introduction

I write to share my medical case history, which involves nearly 15 years of misdiagnosis spanning from 1994 to 2007. Given that I underwent multiple unnecessary procedures and that doctors and administrators ignored my requests, I felt compelled to compile this history based on my experiences and on my medical records.   It took me three years to compile these records, but I felt that this was a necessary story to tell, for my sake, the sake of my family, and for the sake of other patients.  In many clinical settings, the patient has no voice; but this is a way that I feel I might be heard.  Too often, we trust those in power either because they are experts who know more than the average person, or because we hesitate to question those charged with protecting us.  I hope that this history will keep others from ever having to experience what I have experienced, and receive the help and care that they need.  I also hope that this story will encourage more patients to ask for their medical records, to ask more questions, and to stand up for themselves.