Another botched diagnosis, with accompanying malpractice, by DOC’s medical provider. We’ll let Tiffany tell her own story. She had the foresight to compile a diary.
“In April of 2020, I noticed a lump in my right breast. I immediately put in an HNR to have it examined. The nurse and the provider both palpated the breast and proclaimed that it was “just fatty tissue”. Four weeks went by and this lump had grown much larger, so I put in a 2nd HNR. In May I was seen by the provider again, and she still thought it was fatty tissue, but because of my age (38), she sent me out for a mammogram and ultrasound (5-22-20). Those scans called for an immediate biopsy on 6-9-20. On 6-11-20 both providers called me into the office to inform me I had “invasive ductal carcinoma”. I broke down and cried my eyes out.
On Aug. 5th, I was in a daze when they wheeled me into surgery for a double mastectomy. I spent five weeks in the prison “hospital” (IPC). There the “nurses” incorrectly handled my drainage tubes, did not change my bandages often enough, and I got an infection. By the first of Sept, my incision site was hot, red, with foul-smelling pus coming out. The IPC nurses said that was normal! Fortunately for me, I was scheduled for a follow-up appointment at Banner on Sept 2nd.
The OB/GYN that examined me was shocked. She said I had cellulitis and sepsis, and immediately ordered an antibiotic IV for me. She had a few choice words for the IPC “care” I had been receiving. I was returned to IPC with orders for five different antibiotics, that lasted until Oct.1st! At this time I was put on a chemo pill because my “heart was not strong enough for a port” chemo. Then there was more bad news. The real doctor at Banner said I needed a complete hysterectomy! I’m also scheduled for a “top redo” because of the nurse infection….. I don’t know which one they are going to do first. They decided to release me from IPC and send me back to my “cube” at San Carlos. Within a week of returning to Carlos, I suffered 5 seizures. I despair of my chances.
I’m due to be released from prison on July 6th, but I don’t know if I’ll make it.”