Tough day

I think today was the worst day I've had since Michael died. It's the two-month anniversary, which I suppose is part of it.

The other thing is that I'm getting nowhere with Memorial Health in Savannah, where Michael got the less-than-best of care. All I'm asking is for them to make a statement saying that failure to treat a known medical condition is a serious breach of ethics, and that every doctor, nurse or other practitioner at the hospital is expected to inform patients of any medical condition.

They told me that's too broad. I'm not asking for anything for myself. I'm not asking them to admit any wrongdoing. All I'm asking is that they make a statement saying they do not condone failure to treat a known medical condition.

Twice while Michael was there, Dr. Patrick Hammen failed to tell him about a life-threatening condition. I have the records to prove it. Would it have saved his life? I doubt it. But it is a serious breach of ethics to allow a patient to leave your office while you know that person has a serious medical condition and he or she does not.

But that's too much for Memorial Health. It's too "broad."

I hope that our Web site, http://lifeomike.org will get some notice as we try to collect stories about people who don't have insurance and so lack the access to the medical care they need. They are human beings, loved and cared for just like my son was.

I missed Michael so much today. When I talked to Danny, he said he felt the same way. I've written so much about grief. I've lost my father and my sister. I should be ready for anything grief has to throw at me, but this is so, so hard.