A Dying Wish

A Dying Wish Woman's Desire To Die at Home At Risk After Funding For Oxygen Cut!

The Telegram November 25, 2008

Shirley Lane has already had her Christmas celebration. She's had her family over, members visiting her in her St. John's home beside the well-decorated Christmas tree that stands in her sitting room - a room she's virtually confined to.

They came because Lane doesn't know if she'll make it to Christmas, as the scarred tissue in her lungs continues to make it difficult to breathe. Lane knows she's going to die soon. She just wishes she could do it at home.

"I don't want to go into palliative care and die alone," she says, sitting in a hospital bed in her living room, gazing at the Christmas tree. She wants to be surrounded by family and friends, to be comfortable in her last days. She fights back tears to tell her story, her voice hoarse from previous operations.

Lane, 54, is a mother of two and a former home-care worker. She was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis about eight years ago, a progressive disease that causes her lung tissues to inflame and scar. She was coping well until this past spring, but she's been hospitalized four times since then. The last time, the doctor told her there was no cure or treatment left.

"The outlook right now is death," she says over the hum of her oxygen machine.

It's that machine that allows her to stay at home. But as of Sunday, provincial funding for her oxygen system and six hours of home care a week has stopped. The reason, Lane says, is because her husband - a cancer survivor - turned 65 two weeks ago, meaning they have an extra $200 per month coming in because of his Old Age Security pension.

That is apparently just a little too much to qualify for funding, she says.

However, it's not enough to pay the bills for the oxygen machine, says Lane, which, along with the six hours of home care weekly, would cost about $600 per month.

"As of yesterday, I had to pay it myself," she says.

But without funding, her family can't keep paying that amount of money.

"If I don't get funded and I can't pay the bills on my own, I'll have to go into palliative care," she said, fighting back more tears.

Lane said she's protested the decision with Eastern Health, but she hasn't received any satisfaction yet. She also wrote e-mails to the premier and minister of health, who said they would look into the issue.

Lane says the health-care system has let her down and is extinguishing her dying wish to pass at home.But she said she's not surprised.

"When it comes to the heath-care system, there's a lot of people falling through the cracks.

"While Lane sits in her bed, breathing deeply and struggling to speak, her son Chris stares on, wild eyed. He, too, works to control his composure, anger seeping out as he speaks.

He can't understand how the province can afford to send his mother to a fully serviced palliative care home, but can't provide money to allow her to die at home, surrounded by loved ones.

"The amount of money they are going to pay to put her in a home somewhere to keep her alive and be comfortable is a lot more than it will cost to put the oxygen in the house," he says.

"They have enough problems as it is with hospitals and emergency home care. They have enough problems.

"I want to see her die happy. I want her to have a smile on her face when she passes away, not a tear running down her cheek," he said. "I want her to be able to look up and say 'I love you,' not to be sad and die alone.

"When contacted by The Telegram Monday, an Eastern Health spokeswoman said officials are reassessing the situation to determine what other options are available.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a complete and utter outrage, and it cannot be expressed enough, this cannot be allowed to continue to happen.... We must stand united and protect our sick and dying. This lady wants to dye with dignity, let's make that happen!

I have never witnessed so many stories of pain, hurt, demoralization and even avoidable and premature death amongst our senior, retired and disabled community in the past 40 years, has what I have in the past five!

We need to resolve these inequities, and a surefire way to do so is simply vote out the current government in some sort on non-confidence move.

Our people are dying, and our Health Care system is seemingly making it sooner than later!

Brudder

Two Columns - Rich & Poor?

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 5 days! This post was intended for November 23rd, 2008

Over the past several weeks and months, various organizations and individuals have made the news, by realistically seeking public opinion on I suppose their many social/health care request of government, based years of recommendations from research on and for programs and services that protect the poorest and in need persons in our province.

In most or all of these stories, the end result has been negative.

Ross Wiseman downplayed the need for "Mental Health" facilities and programs for youth, while at the same time spent hundreds of thousands in marketing to remind us not to abuse our kids.

Ross Wiseman has ignored individuals whose lives have been turned upside down with the current home care policy!

The Williams government announced a newer oxygen program this spring, but as of yet, it still has not been implemented!

While we understand the importance of corporate, public and private business development in any region, I ask, at what point does it become proper for government to invest in anything but crown operations.

The following is a very short list of announced government investments, that remain
questionable.

• Progress Software for computers $325,000
• Grand Bank-based Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd $500,000
• PanGeo Subsea, $500,000
• $8 million interest-free loan to Terra Nova Shoes
• Other Ocean Group Inc – Game Software - $2.4 million over 5 years
• East Coast Music Association: $225,000
• Cruise Association $50,000 for Marketing Efforts
• Golf Newfoundland and Labrador $45,000 To Support Education and Marketing
• Women’s Film Festival $40,000 in Financial Support
• East Coast Trail $728,000 in Provincial Support for Extension and Maintenance
• The Performing Arts $132,200
• Funding to Help Preserve Wonderful Grand Band Television Series of $10,000
• Newfoundland and Labrador’s Visual Arts Sector - $68,000
• Literary Sector $124,500
• Beyond the Overpass Theatre $25,000 for Operations
• Railway Coastal Museum $50,000 for Operations
• $29,000 in Operational Support to North Atlantic Aviation Museum in Gander
• Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Receives $100,000 in Support
• Publishing Industry Benefits From $200,000
• Summer Cultural Events $300,000
• North Atlantic Fiddle Convention $50,000
• Marble Mountain Infrastructure - $1.2 Million
• Funding for Celebrating Bartlett 2009 $200,000
• Them Days Inc. Receives $200,000 Funding to Ensure Protection of Unique Archival Collection

Maybe I am a little naive, but what does any of these investments do for our province or it's people that private funding or investment wouldn't. Newfoundland and Labrador has supported 1000s of white elephants over the years, but in today's world, we are denying our poor of essential services and at the hand of waste.

Brudder

Nurses Again!

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 6 days! This post was intended for November 22nd, 2008

A VOCM Question of The Day!

Do you think the Williams government would be justified in taking the 20% over 4 years off the table if the economy keeps struggling? Why or why not?

Yes Indeed: Healthcare has become the provinces biggest expense and being as diverse as what it is, our government must rely on common sense approach in recognizing what is too much, in one diversity, and what is not enough in another. Equally however, government must recognize the dire need to re-establish systemic self management, rather than rely on top heavy, costly, mismanaged and duplicated health authorities.

Newfoundland has approximately 500,000 persons in this province served by four health authorities. Each of these authorities serve to: 1. Duplicate management cost by four times, with more than $600,000.00 in four executive director salaries, and more than 4.6 million dollars in executive office salaries and benefits for the authorities alone. 2. To confuse otherwise unilateral provincial policy, by allowing obvious variances in the delivery and or assessment for services.

Newfoundland isn’t a big land mass, political system, or populous. But we are huge in Health and Education Authorities, and Political District offices. One management team, for each service will save this province hundreds of millions of dollars in duplicated services.

Though nurses are a very important component in healthcare, I believe there has to be an accepted threshold in what we are willing to pay our nurses, and other public service workers. Surely we must consider individual diversities, but I am sure that the baseline salary of $50,000.00 for an R.N in this province is enough.

A nurse earning baseline $50,000.00 now, will be earning $60,742.66 in four years. We have to stop somewhere.

The common person do not realize that in this particular case, one-on-one nursing care in hospital for patient is about 30 minutes per shift. Family members primarily do the rest for most bed ridden patients. If the patient is able to get out of bed, wash and dress themselves, one-on-one is to hand a pill, do a blood pressure or check a temperature.

In a 12 hour shift with 5 duty nurses per unit, @ 30 Minutes Max, there would need to be 120 patients at any given time being cared for. Since that patient number according to research, is more like 25 patients per unit, then the need for more than three nurses per shift would be over extending.

Some food for thought, a homecare worker, responsible for all care, including medical is paid $9.29! Who works the hardest? Who gets paid more?

Brudder

Is it Sleight of Hand or Simple Fuddle Fawking A System

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 7 days! This post was intended for November 21st, 2008

Is it sleight of hand or simple fuddle fawking a system, from both sides of the nurse’s dilemma, (or said dilemma) to get media attention? It seems Ms. Forward needs to take a step back and read public knowledge, and catch up on a few open line shows. Simply put, she does not have the solidarity she believes she has from her membership.

On the other hand, the nit picking health authorities are out there placing reprimand and suspensions down on nurses in one area of the province, while not in others. Shouldn't these health authorities all be unilateral in all actions, including disciplinary?

In an earlier entry I wrote about the wasted public cost of duplicating these boards and authorities, now we can add confusion. If regional authorities are set up to operate under provincial legislation, then a unilateral system must be used. I believe however, the realities of these authorities are such that the left hand does not know what the right is doing. These boards make/change policy when they need/want to. If a photocopy letter looks real, most defendants won't question it.

The debate is real no doubt between both sides, but the reality Williams is bullying the union, while the union is bullying him, the boards, their own nurses and the patients they serve. In any labor dispute the only loser are the workers. Ok, we go on strike for two or three months! We lose our income, and then we accept a half deal after having lost more than we started with, and in four years we do it all again.

Oh My!

Brudder

Interesting Perspective

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 8 days! This post was intended for November 20th, 2008

I have been listening to Randy, Bill and Linda for a few decades it seems, and though, as many would agree, the topic areas are interesting, current but shadowed by lack of knowledge or understanding of them.

We garble at just about anything, human nature I suppose, but today one man’s garble got me thinking. He actually had a great concern, question and foresight.

He was discussing how a family member had been ill and recently separated from her husband at 60 years old. As I best understood the situation, this lady was now able to go to work, but only in a labor type and minimum wage capacity. Her previous illness made her dependant on medication that would be out of her reach in a minimum wage job. Apparently, she applied to HRLE for support/subsidy after she’d started working. She was turned down. Her 30 hours a week at $8.00 was more than the cut-off threshold would allow. The gentleman said “my relative was offered by a social worker to quit her job, not only would they pay for her drugs, but her rent, utilities, special diet, medical taxi, and to boot $600.00+ to live on.

Well just imagine! Never mind, you do not have to, what this man said is true, not just of his family, but of any family. This is across the board policy that fits anyone in this or any similar situation. The policy really reads; “all or nothing”, which really is nothing.

I am not the best mathematician, but come on, if we take 100 people and give them basic income support with drugs built in, it will cost approximately $1,470,000.00. But does cost stop there? Absolutely not, each year you can add $48,000.00 for administrative cost, utilities, special considerations and needs $200,000.00. An approximate total of $1,718,000.00, all or nothing dollars and all they ask for was a drug card. $180,000.00 a year!

Is Newfoundland and Labrador broke, or is it simply a matter of our fiscal and program policy being written and delivered by clueless idiots. This isn’t rocket science, but it is black and white, and it’s easy to read!

Brudder

Down With The Walls & More!

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 9 days! This post was intended for November 19the, 2008

The Telegram:

"The provincial government is seeking input from tobacco retailers and interested individuals and organizations on the banning of power walls, which are large retail displays of tobacco products."

About time it came I say, these power walls serve as a constant reminder to everyone, but especially youth, that these products are ok to use, no matter at what age. Cigarette sales fall under similar laws and policy as what does alcohol, except the policing of is very lax.

The provision of tobacco to persons under 19 is an offense, meanwhile a kid seen to be smoking by authorities, is seldom to never confronted.

Newfoundland & Labrador’s policy on the marketing of these types of revenue generating products and services are two sided and contradictory. It awes me that we’d promote good mental health by warning of the dangers of VLT, while at the same time promote ALC Christmas scratch & Win. The same is near that truth with tobacco products.

Families often send their kids to the local corner store for a container of milk, loaf of bread or some wieners for the hotdogs. Irony is, right next to the chocolate bar the kid can have with the left over change is a rack of smokes, and the cooler he gets his pop from is full of beer!

Maybe selling all alcohol, beer and smoke products should be restricted to retail outlets that restrict minors from entering, such as NLC stores.

Tobacco, alcohol and gambling products are clearly costing our province millions in health and addiction services. Is it time to re-think?

Brudder

The speaker spoke and the answer is no

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 9 days! This post was intended for November 18th, 2008

The Telegram - November 18th, 2008

"That means the Opposition Liberals will not receive the additional resources they deem they are entitled to — and which a consultant also recommended they get — for staffers and research.

Roger Fitzgerald, Speaker of the House of Assembly, cast his long-awaited vote today on the funding issue that was deadlocked along party lines.

Earlier this year, the legislature hired an independent consultant to review caucus funding levels. The consultant recommended additional cash for all three parties.

Last month, the Progressive Conservative members of the House of Assembly management commission voted to give themselves the full amount of the consultant's recommendation: an additional $126,000. The NDP also got the full recommended amount: an extra $124,000.

Those votes passed unanimously. But the governing PCs voted to block additional cash aimed at helping the Liberal Opposition hire researchers and caucus support staff.

The consultant recommended an extra $162,000 in funding; the Liberals instead got just $12,000. That meant it was up to Fitzgerald — a Conservative who as speaker does not sit in the party’s caucus — to break the tie. He did that today, voting down the extra funding for the Liberal Opposition. Complete story and reaction in Wednesday’s Telegram."

Can it be any more obvious? It strikes me funny however in a satirical kind of way that the Williams team would fear the Jones team enough to make sure this kind of thing could be even remotely be able to happen.

"what exactly is it that the government of Premier Danny Williams finds so frightening about a tiny rump of an opposition. Telegram Editorial“

"I don’t think there’s anybody on the face of the Earth (that) believes that Roger Fitzgerald made the decision he made on his own,” Randy Simms, VOCM OPEN LINE

I am a loss at why a private consultant was hired, if his/her recommendations were to be ignored. I believe this is a sad day for democracy in this province. The move further exemplifies the total reign of power that Williams has over his caucus. I am not sure there are any fear in this man.

I am ashamed of our government practices.

Brudder

A Party?

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 9 days! This post was intended for November 17th, 2008

Province plans party in March to celebrate becoming a have province The Canadian Press

"Newfoundland and Labrador plans to hold a party next year to celebrate its new found status as a so-called have province, the office of Premier Danny Williams said Monday. A spokesman for Williams said celebrations are planned for March 31 that will feature the province’s music and culture."

I thought at first, this cannot be real, A celebration for who? Will every Town, City, Out Port, Bay or Inlet get to participate? Maybe not! Danny do you want to celebrate?

Take the few million you will spend in that venture and along with a fair share of our new found wealth and put it into the crisis areas that need a hand up. Home care, home oxygen, increased income support, housing. Danny, Newfoundland and Labrador will surely celebrate with you if you show more of the compassion you promised pre-election!



Brudder

Christmas Recession

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 10 days! This post was intended for November 16th, 2008

Here it is, another rain filled weekend, mist on the pond and not much to do but wade through water puddles and count what limited blessings we have, without falling into a moral recession.
Our world leaders, economists, and mega resource developers are crying pain and even foul over the thought that we may enter into a global economic recession, while on a local level our government warns us, and despite our new have status, cash surplus and fairly stable oil prices we may want to tighten our belts.

As I write here, an article on the NTV weekend news, just noted a story on a decrease in Christmas spending. It was somewhat apparent just how un-magic the magical spirit of this season has become. One gentleman said, “last year we spent five or six thousand dollars, but yes, it will be less this year”. We are entering into a recession, and afterall, christmas is all
about presents.

I can picture that on the cover of a card right now! Little Dick & Jane dressed in fine silk, momma in her mink coat while dad carves the golden egg from the slow roasting goose in the oven, cooking alongside the 25 pound prime rib, in the stainless steel oven from the kitchen adorned with it’s own christmas tree, mistletoe and imported wine and chocolate.

How many of the big spenders, including members of government drive by the undecorated homes of its most vulnerable in our society and wonder what it would be like to be them? When poor, we dream of riches, does it work opposite?

I always feel uneasy and unsettled this time of year, yet my spirit and soul find more solace in defending our poor, than supporting our rich. Thanks for the offer to eat lobster and caviar on Christmas Eve Mr. Big Spender, but I have already committed to sharing a can of mixed nuts and big-8 soda at another friends housing unit.

Brudder

Hot or Cold?

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 11 days! This post was intended for November 15th, 2008

Whatever happened to government’s $6.9 million home heating assistance program, the program, promised a year ago to help low-income families deal with the high cost of home heating, hasn’t been followed up on it seems. “Last year, we all heard the stories about seniors, disabled and low income earners going to malls, friends houses and even spending time visiting a friend of a friend of a friend in hospital, just to stay warm, because they could not afford to keep the heat on in their homes.

In a “have” province, government should have a plan to deal with this reality, or a bigger plan to force PUB to cut deep into profits” The three-year plan to provide funding to the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation to create a Residential Energy Efficiency Program for low-income households would help low-income families with energy audits and insulation to cut their heating costs, and I wonder when or if this year’s home heating rebate will be announced.

“Where is the promised energy efficiency program? And when will government announce its home heating rebate? Last year government increased the income threshold to $40,000 with no eligible family receiving less than $100. that was good but there needs to be a long-term plan for dealing with the rising cost of home heating fuel.

Government should bring the rebate back up to the 2005 maximum of $400 and it should be the same for electricity, and other fuels, as it is for oil.“The pressure to conserve and be energy efficient does not just rest with consumers, because so many of them can’t afford the investment. Government has a big role to play here and they are falling down on the job,”

Brudder

VON Dropping Clients?

One of the largest costs in home care provision, is the delivery of it through third party agencies such as VON and others.

A little realism can go a long way in trying to understand something most people don’t. Home support workers in most case scenarios are not overworked either from physical or mental exhaustion, as would be described by the agencies that represent them. The masses that require these services will tell you; Many examples of the reality are ones that describe the large majority of workers as being under qualified to over work.

As one gentleman I spoke to, now using private care explained, I used four local agencies here in St. John’s before going private, and of them all, the only qualified person ever in my home was I. I had a rotation of two persons a day, and most often that meant upward to eight or ten different faces in my home per week. That is crazy all by itself he said.

I don’t know what the rules say, or for that matter, if there are any rules on hiring even, from an agency perspective. I do know that it appears the only prerequisite required to be a home care worker with an agency is to be a 19 -75 year old dropout, who has a drivers license (or not), a certificate of conduct that declares they have never been “caught” committing the crimes they did, and have loads of experience in sitting around all day waiting for their client to need a drink or go pee!

Now please understand, I am in favor of any amount of home care provision for a person, only god knows when a human needs to pee etc. I am simply saying that for those who work an eight hour shift in home care, with five of those sipping tea, all supported with a grade eight education, $9.30 cents per hour isn’t bad given the minimum wage paid to a janitor at most public establishments.

Lobbyists, advocates and unions are choking off a fundamental service from the person most vulnerable in this province, our seniors, our disabled and our sick.

Each day we see or hear of groups representing the interest of these people, but outside of particular membership, should groups be allowed to advocate for provincial change or speak on behalf of a public community? Of course not!.

A week or so ago, NAPE’s Carol Furlong was busting her chops on unionizing home support workers. For the love of god Carol, grow up. If I am hiring a union worker, I want a contract; they’d want security, benefits, workman’s comp etc. I don’t know Carol; you must first understand the design of home support programs in private homes. How many people will feel like relinquishing their homes up as commercial work sites and all that falls into place with that? City and Fire regulations, excessive home insurance, business taxation, health and safety regulations, the list is endless. Think, Think, Think!

Greed, commercialism and a higher rank on the scoreboard to popularity for being amongst peers in the realm of news making in affecting change, positive or negative is what motivates these people to push hard enough as to lose control of objectionable debate and create pain for others that they cannot heal.

“Speak from what you know, not from what you don’t”. Far too often, the story is in the tea leaves at the bottom of your cup.

Agencies offer a fantastic and over marketed service with pretty brochures, full of stock photography that portray everything but the truth. While Mr. Can Do Little is expecting a promotional Blondie from the guts of CBS ER, he is sadly presented with a toothless beer keg from CBC Trailer Park Boys.

A worse truth is! Agencies getting near double in pay per hour and more than that are some cases, while the worker get’s the government sanctioned rate.

Here is what needs to happen; government would create a database of submitted resumes from all potential home support workers in the province, using the least important skill/education/ability required, up to the most advanced skill/education/ability required.
Persons seeking home support would then be assessed based on physical/respite requirements with their assessment data being then cross matched with the available human resource from the registered workers for an appropriate match.

This list would only be used as an aide for clients and provided by health authorities to clients as a non mandatory provision that a client must only hire from the lists attached.

Government would distance itself from the actual legality of being the employer, by redirecting the cost of hiring to the client or designate for self managed care. Then, close all accounts with agencies, and save the hundreds of thousands of dollars in wasted cost to paper pushers.


Brudder

The Cost Of Doing Repairs

Recently I sat in an open forum, where the discussion was over the condition of public housing in the city. Tenants were very concerned about significant mould build up, heat loss, leaky roofs and rotting windows, and these issues were the more minor of the lot.

It was at the point where one lady had told her story of rodents and cockroaches that got my real attention, in fact, she'd brought along a plastic bag with a few dead mice and a decapitated rat she'd killed herself. No trophy, but she got to tell her story. Needless to say, the man of the hour could not make it, nor did anyone from housing. A feeling of sadness and question entered my mind, could this be real, could conditions be this bad, especially in this province of "have"?

Yes indeed, no guessing, no question just in your face reality. I had opportunity to visit a tenant thereafter in the courts near MUN. it was like walking into a re-run of the Walton's. Character, appeal, quality, adequacy, efficiency, or healthy was zero. The first thing I noticed was the kitchen cabinet doors, made of plain D-grade plywood, painted so often with oil paint, that the half inch plywood door was now an inch thick.

I wondered why a government like ours would allow their public property to become so devastated, where instead of beautifying the housing units to enrich self pride and esteem for their tenants, they allow for their tenants own economic disability, to be used against them.

Late last year, an announcement was made by Minister Skinner that a retrofit of 10 housing units in the cities west end would take place over summer and fall of 2008. The amount of $339,000 was provided to repair roofs, windows and doors, as well some exterior board replacement on otherwise brick exteriors.

Given the type, size and quantity of the said windows there were 42, if all were replaced and they did not appear to have been, each window would have cost $189.00 providing government pays what you and I do. roofs, five in all, and a local roofer estimated about $6000.00 for all material, siding material for all five building estimated $9,000.00 for type and amount used, lumber for eves and Misc. $800.00, miscellaneous, $2500.00. Estimated $26,000. - $30,000, for materials, $310.000 for labour.

I may have deviated a tad, because what I really wanted to talk about was the $310 thousand bucks spent to repair the exteriors of these buildings. I drove by a few times, a community watchdog of sorts, and though not to be laughed at, I did. At the one unit it seemed that the congregation of workers had gathered, eleven in all. One guy, on the porch roof caulking a window, two more sitting on the roof, feet hanging off the eve. One dude was eating his Twinkies, the other with his hand in his pocket playing with his. On the ground, two lads sitting on the tailgate of the truck dragging down a few cameos, another two tarring shingles, while the old ones still attached to roof, two more boys holding a ladder that nobody was standing on. The funniest however were the two white helmets standing around making sure the others were getting paid to eat, drink, smoke and be merry.

This project started in August, it is still ongoing as at Saturday. What a heedless thing to ask Newfoundlander and Labradoreans accept. This is robbery in the biggest way. These five buildings, with eleven crew could have done first all eves two days max, roofs five days max, windows, four days max, siding upper level only 10 days max. Twenty one working days, one month, while so far it's near 90 days. Is it me that feels this is wrong, or is this an acceptable practice now that 90% of all public works initiatives are labour cost?

Is government sending out a message to it's most economically challenged that hey, we'll give away the real money to the guys outside not fixing your house, but as far as you go on the inside, boil some more rice, if you can find some without rat shit or roaches that is, and continue on with your miserable lives.

Shame, a real shame!

Brudder

God Made Me Blind So I Could See!

Has there ever been a more powerful and sentimental statement ever spoken? If so, I have never heard it.

During a recent chat with a dear friend of mine, who is suffering from two severe medical challenges, one of which is a brain tumor and the second a severe inhibitor known as claustrophobia. This condition prevented her from receiving timely treatments to correct and treat the tumour. Claustrophobia is something hardly understood by the masses, but far to often made fun of by the same. Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder in which someone has an intense and irrational fear of confined or enclosed spaces. A person who suffers from claustrophobia may break into a panic when inside an elevator, a bus, an aeroplane, a room with lots of people or any confined space.

The required treatment for her brain tumor was first two surgeries to be followed by 30+ radiation treatments, with a particular and terrifying twist for my friend that she would need to wear a full and enclosed face mask, while at the same time being strapped to the treatment table for each of the 30+ treatments. For her, This was like and by compared, a Hannibal Lector scene in The Silence of the Lambs.

Have you ever been given a choice to do something, where your fear of that something was so powerful, that even thinking about having to make a choice to ensure you lived made you so sick, it was still more frightening than the thought of dying?

My friend was there, and had decided not to do her treatments, because the thought of being strapped and face tied to a table was more terrifying than dying, despite all medical warnings that death would be eminent without that tumor gone! She was simply too terrified to go on.

My friend took some time to weigh the options, and upon a decision to at least try the treatment, she was met with the realization that it would not happen for her; the claustrophobia would seemingly rule the outcome.

Three months went by, and quite suddenly my friend lost sight in her second eye, she had already lost complete vision in her left eye a year previous. The right eye vision loss was practically over a few days, and a strong message was seemingly sent. An immediate bell went off, and it became quite apparent for her and necessary for her doctors that the treatment would happen, and more sooner than later. If for no other reason, it would likely serve as a life preservation measure, even if sight restoration may not be in her future.

Sadly, three more months worth of delays would happen before her specialist and the cancer centre could co-ordinate pre-treatment tests, schedule 30+ treatments and get things in place. By that time, the optic nerve had become quite compressed and any hope for renewed vision, seemed more hopeless.

Finally, five weeks ago, A second attempt at treatment began, and was successful insofar that the claustrophobia was not hindering the progress. An old adage seemed to prove fruitful, "If Your Eyes Don't See It, Your Heart Won't Feel It". It seemed now that the vision loss aided in a rest of peace in the fears caused by the claustrophobia. By not being able to see, it became easier for my friend to accept the treatment.

Today begins her sixth week of treatments, and despite many very low days, this trooper has expressed a valiant effort in becoming well. , After six months of no sight, my friend is now showing some great signs of regaining her lost vision in her left eye, or at least part of it. More importantly, it now appears the treatment is having a very big impact on the tumor, this is welcomed news indeed. At last, there is hope, said my friend, “I believe god took my sight, so I could see”.

What spirit, what testimony, and strength in a belief must a person possess in order to first feel the power of a stronger being, but secondly, to be able to use it in such a time, while facing a personal challenge that for most would have to be created by a darker force.

Conviction and a belief in the power of god, of love, of family and of self can allow to hold overwhelming weight in your heart and hands. Just when you believe you can't you will. Today we believe, if we lose our job we'll starve, our house, we'll freeze, our toys, we'll be bored. Do we not live in a world full of temptation and heart felt contempt for fellow humans to often?

My friend taught me a very valuable lesson, that lesson is, when you see danger or sense fear, simply close your eyes, but open your heart, your mind and your faith. God will take you the rest of the way.

Keep the faith!

Brudder

Stem-cell freezer malfunctions at Eastern Health

Effects Unknown

And here we go again, marching to the beat of the warriors drum, humming the oh well we screwed up again tune. It's only 29 more lives we are talking about.

"Equipment from time to time does malfunction said Louise Jones, Executive Director of Eastern Heath. This happens to be a catastrophic malfunction," she said. Eastern Health has sought outside advice to try to determine whether the change in temperature would compromise the stem cells. "We don't know if we have an issue. This is a theoretical issue. The science is not there," Jones said.

My single most question is "why"? Why are we as a people not demanding a very fine tooth and nail investigation by an independent review and paid for by the Feds, of not just Eastern Health, but all health authorities in this province.

We can argue I suppose the Senior Clink Wiseman may be honored in saying that the Department of Health don't get involved in this kind of issue, to which I say bullshit.

"We knew the freezer was at the end of its life" - My god redeem me from my thoughts. Louise Jones, you stupid arrogant woman, to go on public airwaves and downplay the seriousness of what is happening here. Why don’t you ask Terry Gulliver to hold the door open for you, so it don’t hit your ass on the way to the unemployment office.

What part of we knew the freezer was at the end of its life did not ring a bell in the empty space between your ears. Your lab was already under attack by potentially unsafe equipment, but yet your policy & procedure allowed for "safe keeping" in unsafe equipment.

In essence, your lab took only one human stem cell sample that will be required to kick start the life back into a near lifeless body, and literally stored them in a freezer that may or may not continue to run. Under your procedure guidelines, would it not be safer to take several samples, stored in different freezers, different sites, under different power grids, and all supported by adequate back-up power sources. My good god, you can’t even begin to make me see the “equipment do break down argument”.


Ross Wiseman, you are a shame, “The department doesn’t get involved” you say. You're damn department provide the budgets; you pay nurses, doctors, lab techs and janitors. You are involved, and if you can’t fix it, then you should get the hell out.

Brudder

Williams Apology According to Jones

The post below in it's entirety belongs to Brian Jones - Desk editor - The Telegram.
Editorial 11/01/2008

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The danger that can result when powerful people surround themselves with sycophants was on clear and horrible display this week when Premier Danny Williams testified at the Cameron inquiry.

Williams’ apology Tuesday won quick accolades and earned him a headline spot on that night’s CBC-TV broadcast of “The National.” Several cancer victims and advocates expressed appreciation for the premier’s apology and his sincerity in doing so. To Williams’ credit, it was the decent thing to do, and it is indeed a rarity in Canadian politics — you don’t often see provincial premiers issue blanket apologies about anything.

But the details are a problem. I keep trying to visualize Williams in the premier’s office, bouncing his planned apology off underlings.

With a caucus that consists of only one spine among 43, and a bevy of “I can’t remember” staffers and “I don’t recall” assistants, it isn’t likely that anyone within earshot of the boss would have piped up with, “Uh, Mr. Premier, are you sure you want to say it that way?”In Wednesday’s Telegram, under the headline “Premier apologizes,” the first full quote attributed to Williams sounds striking, but upon a second, closer reading hits you between the eyes like a Phillies’ baseball bat because of its astounding implications: “Patients who are involved in this process are the pioneers and martyrs who are paving the way for a better health-care system at the end of the day.

”Unfortunate phrasing"

Picture a tentative, somewhat reluctant hand being raised. “Uh, boss, do you think maybe you should rephrase that?

”There are no pioneers or martyrs here. There are only victims. That statement is so insulting and offensive that it almost negates the legitimacy of the premier’s apology. A pioneer is someone who willingly sets out to be among the first to do something or go somewhere. Albert Einstein was a pioneer. The Beatles were pioneers. The voyageurs were pioneers. People who get cancer are not pioneers.

A martyr is someone who willingly risks his or her life — or, at least, gives up his or her comfortable life — in pursuit of a task or an ideal. St. Boniface was a martyr. St. Sebastien was a martyr. You could even say that Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy were martyrs. But people who die of cancer are not martyrs.

They were victims, period — first of medical mistakes, and then of a bureaucratic cover up. It is ludicrous to suggest, as Williams did, that the people who were victimized by the hormone receptor testing scandal were “paving the way for a better health-care system. ”This is insensitive spin at its worst. I’ll hold off, and leave it to others to ask that the premier apologize.

Easy answers

Many observers were probably wondering, as I was, what happened to inquiry lawyer Bern Coffey, who up until this week has been determined and tenacious in his questioning of witnesses.

The day Williams was on the stand, Coffey apparently decided to stay home and send his nicer, gentler twin brother — also named Bern — to fill in for him. On a day when the public most needed Coffey’s estimable skills as an interrogator, he instead chose to let the premier use the inquiry as a podium.

Lest we let dramatic apologies make us lose sight of the issue, there are two main occurrences that the inquiry, and the public, must confront. First, there were errors in the lab. Second, those errors were later hidden from patients.

People can probably forgive the mistakes. Forgiveness for the ensuing cover up won’t likely be as forthcoming. This scandal arose because people made decisions and took certain actions — or, if you prefer, took no action. It did not arise due to “pioneers” or “martyrs. ”Statements of banal contrition will not suffice. After all, as Williams said, “We’re talking lives here.

”Brian Jones is a desk editor at The Telegram. He can be reached by e-mail at
bjones@thetelegram.com.

A Have Province?

You know how the definition of a national party leader kept changing prior to this election?

First, the Greens couldn't have a leader in the debate because they didn't run candidates in all riding's. Then they did.

Then they couldn't have anyone in the debate because they didn't have a member in the House. Then they did.

Then they couldn't have anyone in the debate because they didn't have a candidate who'd been *elected* as a Green candidate.

Well, the excuses sort of stalled there when public opinion got in on the act, but, you could see that the definition of a debate-able leader was a moving target.

I wonder if these "have" and "have not" definitions aren't much the same thing? Moving targets? What exactly defines a "have" province? We have a chap living in a tent in Nain -- in November.

We "have" hundreds of kilometres of roads -- in many cases the only road in the entire region in fact -- that are still dirt roads.

We "have" hundreds of communities under constant boil water orders.

We "have" far to many disabled persons being denied adequate access to goods and services.

We "have" hundreds of kids falling through the cracks each year.

We "have" hospitals where patients cram the toilet paper in the gaps around the windows and count themselves lucky they have families to bring them extra blankets.

We "have" a legal system that allows deadbeat parents an extra eight or nine months of being deadbeats because we can't get them in front of an overworked circuit judge -- all at the cost of some child's quality of life.

None of that sounds like a "have" province to me. I don't know much about oil revenues, and all that stuff, but, I do know that there are a lot of people in this province who likely don't feel that their lives "have" improved in the past few years.

There's a section at the top that is doing better, and a wider gap between them and the pair of working parents who, despite their pair of 40-hour weeks, can't see how to get their rent paid and new school clothes for their children. Their salaries "have" stalled, but costs continue to spiral. I think "have" and "have not" have a political meaning on a very broad scale, but governments in this province still have to narrow their focus to the very difficult time many of their constituents continue to have.

Brudder

Newfoundland and Labrador off equalization - At First Glance

CBC NL

Newfoundland and Labrador reached a milestone Monday by becoming a have province for the first time in its history.

The federal government released figures that showed for the first time ever the province would not be receiving equalization payments from Ottawa.

The province's new status is due to oil revenues, corporate income taxes, commodity prices and retail sales.

Premier Danny Williams called it a momentous day for people in the province.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What are we so proud of? A reluctant, but yet enthusiastic Premier went before the mic today to sing his praise, that for the first time ever in Newfoundland and Labradors history, we were declared a have province. The backbone of the announcement also declared that we would not be in receipt of any equalization payments for at least the next two years.

At whose expense does this announcement fall on, for example we hear tear jerk stories of how ill prepared the province is to fully and quickly reduce poverty, or to be able to increase payments for programs and services that would enrich the lives of the provinces sick and poor.

Williams said "This is a very proud day for Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans, I can tell you. We received information today from the federal government at the finance ministers' meeting that as a result of changes in the figures that as of today — which is a notification — but effectively this year Newfoundland and Labrador is a have province. That's a momentous day for the people of this province."

"Change in the figures" lovely heart of Jesus, let us examine this further, maybe A+B+C=N.
(Nothing) Who changed the numbers and when? Maybe it was Fabian Manning. All in one week we are given Mackey, No Equalization, and Fabian Manning's appointment. None the less,,Danny says, let's move on, on a go forward basis with Ottawa. Not much else to do I suppose! Pride won't allow Mr. Williams to admit we have been beaten, the goose egg that he sent to Ottawa was not a goose egg at all, it hatched and it was a monster, stamped will destroy NL.

Brudder

Who Are To Blame

The text below tells an incredible story, one not yet finished for a child of fifteen years. No matter what the outcome is, who are to blame? Does a child simply decide to get drunk, steal a car and put her life and the lives of the public at risk without some underlying reason.

Last week, I wrote about youth and the issues and challenges they face today, in a calculated piece targeting Ross Wiseman. I am not sure I was as clear as I should have been, in relaying my points. A follow-up post is coming soon!

Take a look at the story below! Really, "Who Are To Blame"?


Brudder


RNC in St. John's have laid several charges against a 15 year old girl following a lengthy incident in the metro area. At about 9:45 last night police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the Durdle Drive area. They were also informed the driver was impaired and headed toward Mount Pearl. Police say the vehicle was later found on Topsail Road and the driver turned out to be a 15 year old girl. Police say they tried to stop the vehicle but the driver refused. RNC say as an officer tried to approach the vehicle at a red light in traffic, the driver then exited the lane and attempted to hit the officer with the vehicle. A chase to the downtown area immediately followed but quickly came to a conclusion when the vehicle ran into the Oceanex building on Water Street. The driver then allegedly fled on foot but was arrested a short time later. However, things didn't conclude there. The girl is alleged to have kicked one officer and spat at another. The 15 year old is now being held at the Youth Remand Centre for a court appearance later today. She will be facing charges of theft of a motor vehicle, impaired driving, flight from police, dangerous driving, assault with a weapon, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, breach of undertaking and failure to comply with a probation order.

RNC in Corner Brook had their hands full with a number of youth. Police say a 15 year old from Benoit's Cove has been charged with one count of robbery following an investigation into an incident that on Cobb Lane in Corner Brook April 20th. Police say he's been released to appear in court at a later date.

Following a curfew check at a residence on East Valley Road in the west coast city, a 16 year old boy was be charged with two counts for breach of undertaking. The charges come after he allegedly breached one of his curfew conditions within his court order.

Finally, four young boys have been issued warnings under the Youth Criminal Justice Act in connection with a complaint of mischief in the Broadway area of Corner Brook. All four have been released to their parents.

Ross and Joan Doing A Great Job?! - Says Premier

Well well Danny thinks Joan Burke and Ross Wiseman are both doing a great job in their present portfolios, would we ever have guessed otherwise? Gut wrenching really, it pretty much tells me all I wanted to know.

I guess by doing a good job he means they do exactly as he tells them, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. If that's the case I agree 100% they are indeed doing just great. Health Care, just great.
Budget cuts for the basics including food and personal care at Nursing homes, home care, oxygen, refurbished wheel-chairs, just great.

Interference in the selection process at MUN, schools full of mold.

Our great dedicated nurses on the verge of a strike due to stress overwork, social workers ho tied and tired, lab workers stressed to the max, My god how much better can it get? Excellent job Ross and Joan. Oops don't want to keep you here too long though folks, Danny just bent over so you two better run and do your usual kissing in the usual place.

Brudder

For What Good?

There’s a new look for the provincial cabinet following a swearing-in ceremony this morning
at Government House in St. John’s.

Premier Danny Williams announced his senior rank move, just two days after his buddy Steve in Ottawa did the same with his. There is a silly kind of humor intact with that I do believe, but who is laughing now? None the less, Dan could not meet Stevens challenge by tossing back a similar Mackey punch.

Realistically, ABC now reads more like Assholes Behind Conservatives, and that is exactly where Danny has put this province, it's where Harper really wanted us, at his mercy and"Behind Ottawa" Danny did not do Newfoundland & Labrador any favours with that stupid "ABC" campaign, he acted like a school yard bully, and I believe he lost - Correction "we lost".

William said "a renewal in a number of portfolios will enable the provincial government to provide strong leadership". I am not sure what the word "strong" really defines here, after all there really isn't much human change in cabinet, just one new face added, with titles and roles making up for the rest of the change.

Cynicism attached, if Danny can micro-manage any particular elected member or any number of of elected members, it doesn't matter what their tag reads; Machine washed, hand washed or blow dried, the result is the same. A caucus full of coat tail followers.

Kennedy is now Finance Minister while Marshall becomes Justice Minister. Did you ever see the movie Al Capone Meets Machine Gun Kelly? same thing! Insignificant to the poor amongst the poor, but a sure slap in the face for Marshall. After all, the man with the purse, is the man with the power, you could tell he liked that power.

More cynicism, and further to an earlier post I wrote, the finance post is huge, each other department depends on that one department doing the best job... It's whee they get their budgets after all. Well, five years has given Tom Marshall the experience to run finance; how will a junior league rookie compare to a seasoned pro?

Susan Sullivan is the only new face in the cabinet taking up duties as minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. Her job also includes minister responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, the Labour Relations Agency and Francophone Affairs. Now Brudder that's a plate full for a newbie.

The following is a list of new cabinet ministers by department (cabinet portfolios not listed remain unchanged):

Susan Sullivan Is:
Minister of Human Resources Labour and Employment
Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Minister Responsible for Labour Relations Agency and Francophone Affairs.

Kathy Dunderdale Is:
Deputy Premier &
Minister of Natural Resources
Minister Responsible for the Forestry & Agrifoods Agency
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Trevor Taylor Is:
Minister of Transportation & Works
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation;

Dianne C. Whalen Is:
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness
Registrar General

Thomas J. Hedderson Is:
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture;

Shawn Skinner Is:
Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat;

Dave Denine Is:
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector.
Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Finance and president of Treasury Board,

Kennedy is minister responsible for the Public Service Secretariat and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Williams also announced that Clyde Jackman will serve as Acting Minister of Environment and Conservation, while Charlene Johnson is on a medical leave of absence.

No better way to put it Danny my son! Acting Minister... they all act, some rather poorly to boot, way I see it, you boasted to loud, to soon.. Peter and Steve will determine our next four years, don't keep your empty collection plate out in the rain too long, it will rust. A world in recession, a world of hurt for Newfoundland and Labrador, falling oil prices and a country leader who hates the tenth province. Way-to-go Mr. Premier.

Brudder

Eastern Health reviewing why policy not followed in disposal of Dako machine

Is This A Real Surprise?

Just imagine being told all of your medical records before year 2000, no longer existed!, that all files were destroyed as part of the weeding program to reduce paper storage and paper mites?

According to information provided to me by medical records department at HSC and St. Clare's, regarding a personal case of my own, I went seeking particular information that should be in my medical file, that could potentially lend diagnostic support to a more recent medical mystery with me.

I learned that this is allegedly across the board, and supposedly not unique to me. Well in the matter of the findings, this information has not been proven otherwise different.

The Telegram Reported On 30/10/2008: "Eastern Health is investigating why its own policy wasn’t followed when a key machine in the hormone receptor testing scandal was given away. Self-employed service technician Joe White testified Wednesday he got the Dako machine from lab administration in late 2004 or early 2005 and sold it to a U.S. pathology broker for $4,000 U.S."

"Investigate Why Their Policy"......... just what does this mean in the scheme of things? Who investigates? What Set of Criteria or Rules of Procedure and Practice are used in order to investigate? In this case, who judges?

It would seem predominantly clear to most people, that in a situation such as, that a policy would exist whereby an inventory list of equipment would exist. Of course this inventory would be databased in several query's. (Q1) Equipment Name & Type, It's Description & Usage, It's Unit Of Location, It's Condition Status, and most certainly it's Reliability. (Q2) It's Life Cycle, It's Age, It's Repair History. (Q3) End Of Life Inspection, Qualifiers, Person Submitting Report, Recommendations for Disposal. (Q4) Method of Disposal, Company or Individual Contracted to Dispose, Report of Disposal.

In any disposal method, it would first seem necessary to remove all hard discs from computers or computer operated equipment, of course after all important and personal data is removed.

It's difficult these days to understand who is Christ or the anti Christ with either the Dept. of Health, or its agencies. It has been made abundantly clear that the only truth to come out of Eastern Health is the number of how many times they cannot recall.

This latest revelation is yet another stroke of bad luck for Eastern Health. I mean, let us humor ourselves and even pretend that we can see how this could happen! When the
god forsaken reality is, it's another set-up and likely pay-off.

Investigations prove what? That there is always a fall guy, the system never takes responsibility. Here we are in a major crisis, people died for Jesus sake, and unnecessarily, and we get what? "AN APOLOGY' mother of god, the corruption wreaks, it's present, it's in your face and Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans are satisfied with "We Are Sorry"


In any court room case, this kind destruction of evidence of this importance would certainly be deemed in contempt and criminal. This is not just a mistake, and for those taking the word from an inquire that started a lie and will end a lie should not bear any right to offer an opinion even.

No one will be accountable for this act of malice, human suffering, death and biggest show of incompetence in the history of our province, the only ones to pay will be those who already paid with their lives.

To Eastern Health.... The slogan herein is right, when in gods name will you begin delivery?

Widespread “cushion” and “comfort” among all leading regimes across the province has given rise to an “elevated culture of entitlement”, and within this “madness”, leading doctors and lawyer’s work-in-tandem as the principal players.

Responsibility and even “morality” eludes them in their primary quest to “sustain” the lifestyle by constantly “covering” for one another. It is an “ignoramus” mutual admiration “society” wherein no “one”, does anything wrong.

When called to task, as is occurring now, “players” who are questioned are “blinded” and at a “loss” because the ones “asking” the questions are “known already” to be “fellow players” who are “equally” reprehensible, and mad.

Brudder

Interesting & Odd?

As I delve more into the pompous way we serve our needy, I find myself more and more awed!

Has our local society & culture been newly tagged by a demon like force, hell-bent on scraping away at the sweat on the backs of our poor, disabled, seniors and such communities unable to defend themselves?

Are we still at peace with our globally marketed loving and caring style, unique to Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans, or have that once was truth all but died? Have we all gone wayward and maybe gotten lost in a carefree, careless virtual world, that we no longer have time to even notice our neighbor, friend or brother needs help.

I say we, because it is us that allow continued soul and skin stripping off those that can’t afford to lose one more strip. I was at a business this week, at the counter was a gentleman in an old power chair, it had obvious problems. The motors were cracking, upholstery broken, frame rusted, overall it looked unsafe. The gentleman was telling his friend, (the cashier) that he was in line for a new used chair. His friend remarked “used”, yes he said, “it’s the new way. Recycled parts, build new chairs”.

I found myself not being able to just leave that there, I made myself brazen enough to ask this gentleman to elaborate, he politely agreed to speak with me outside.

Not seeming to concerned , as if was just an acceptable part of his life, he described how one time a “Special Assistance Program”, SAP he used as its acronym would purchase new power or manual chairs for qualifying benefactors every five years. “It’s not like that now though he said”. “For the past few years, anyone granted a new (different) chair, will get a rebuilt he said”, but that do puzzle me, for the most part chair seating is custom made to meet the need of the user he added. Outside of that, there is a frame, usually rusted, weakened welding, and electronics that if not already, is on its last leg, he excused the pun as he smiled.

Well needless to say, I was flabbergasted with this knowledge, and of course, I did inquire about it further. It seems, budgetary restraints all throughout healthcare are dire. A closer view however fairly well explains the departments hardest hit by claw backs are those dealing with services as equipment provision, home care, income supports, seniors, personal care item supply, home oxygen etc.

A recently unemployed social worker I spoke with today, eluded, they have to penny pinch somewhere, too bad it will or is causing so much human suffering for those who need us most. Their hands are tied she said, speaking of friends still working the field, they are not supposed to question or argue the black and white, for those of us who did are enjoying the fruits of Alberta. “It’s too bad really, I often pitied my clients, most are already ill, they do not need this.

Powerful; but sad, you cannot fight the machine, or can we?

Brudder

Williams needs to apologize at cancer inquiry:

CBC NL

The last week of testimony in Newfoundland and Labrador's breast cancer inquiry has begun, with final witnesses including the man who ordered the probe last year: Premier Danny Williams.

The premier is scheduled to take the stand on Tuesday, and though his testimony will not be crucial to understanding how lab tests went wrong, his appearance will be closely watched.
Cancer patient Minnie Hoyles told CBC News on Monday that she wants to hear Williams take responsibility for shortcomings on behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador government, even for mistakes that occurred before he took office in 2003.

"He can apologize for previous governments and his own government as well," Hoyles said in an interview.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The thought of Williams apologizing is plain and simple bull crap. I agree to, Danny do not need to apologize, he needs to resign instead. What would most of you say if someone approached you today and told you the same or similar is still happening? that there are more screw-ups now than ever? But wait! Are they screw-ups or are they intentional? What would you say if you were told that hospitals in this province were practicing euthanasia and in the most inhumane but covered up way?

I am appalled at being able to say that, but it appears true. A family member of mine just finished chemo and radiation for cancer. The Chemo, she was given some very bad advice on after treatment drugs, and after her first week of radiation she was told “ooops, we marked you wrong, we need to start over. This lady being very senior did not want to challenge them on the screw up.

Since last March, five of my friends, gave it up to cancer and stroke, though maybe terminal, they all had plenty of time left we all believed. In all cases, families were pressured to admit their loved ones to palliative care, three of these five walked into the hospital on their own. The story was the same in all cases, first day IV morpheme for pain that two in particular said on admission day, what pain I have no pain. By third day, these patients were in and out of coma, “my ass” they were overdosed for the love of god! Then came, we are sorry to say, he/she is not eating, we feel it best not to tube feed or continue IV for reasons of yadda, yadda, yadda.

A week to two into this comes; the organs are starting to shut down. Well hell-f’in-o, the patient has been dehydrated, starved and drug overdosed for near three weeks, would you expect different. For me, it would look normal in one patient, but five, it looked more than suspicious. Apology do nothing for these people, they do nothing for the families of these people, they do nothing for the morale of the people. Political apologies are like broken election promises, like Dan would say “the worse kind of fraud”.


Brudder

Mommy Are These A Dollar Also?

And they were!

It was just another day of reckoning I suppose, but even at a dollar, mom could still only afford three boxes of macaroni and cheese.! The child was delighted that they had three more days of good eating, but for momma it was more than a heartache.

I sat with Mary and her child Eve (not real names) so Mary could share her story of hardship and emotional let down she'd experienced since the little girl was born nearly seven years ago. For their story I bought lunch at the Village Mall food court. For me it was a hot dog for Eve and a french fries with dressing and gravy at the Hot Shoppe for Mary. For Mary and little girl, it was fine dining, it cost me $5.85.

Mary 25, exclaimed "it's all my fault, and I feel I will pay for my mistake for the rest of my life." "I never meant for it to be like this for my child", it's supposed to be different, but it isn't".
I found Mary apologizing quite often, and I am not sure she understood she did not have to.

Mary was in her final year at high school, no real plans then, but several dreams, "diminished goals", she said as she sipped her medium double, double. "It was Saturday, November 2, 2002 when Eve was born, and here it is just a few weeks away from her birthday, and I have to wait to get a welfare cheque to buy her a present".

As you can see, pointing to her cart, Mary says "even these few groceries at Dollar-Rama gets me nothing but beef stew, fake Kraft dinner, Ravioli, Tuna and some no name cereal", and "our cookies trows in Eve". In tears, Mary said, "I get $234.00 every 16 days, plus the Eve's child benefit, $231.00". $699.00 a month, with that I must pay for Eves school lunch's, "very often peanut butter sandwiches or lunch mates on sale she says", her cloths from the Thrift Store, and the rest of my household needs, like groceries, heat and light, and a basic service telephone.

I had ask Mary to bring along her account of how she spent her money last month, she had previously said in a pre-interview, "I keep everything you know? people just won't believe
you if you don't have proof".

Here are Mary's shocking numbers:

NL Power: $129.27
Aliant: $ 32.00
Basic Cable $ 46.00
Cloths for Eve: $ 37.00
Cloths for me: $ 41.00
Milk just for Eve: $ 62.24 (16 Cartons a month)
School Lunch's $ 65.00 (12 Lunch Mates, juice, cheese & cracker snack for recess and PB Sandwiches)
Dollar-Rama Cleaners: $13.00
Dollar-Rama Personal: $23.00
Laundry Supply: $16.00
Bus pass for Eve & I: $35.00
Sobey's $119.34
Dollar Rama Food $ 47.00
Wal-Mart Toys $ 12.47
Unaccounted For: $ 20.68

Folks, I knew not to cry or apologize on behalf of the province! Not so much for how little income one receives if needing to depend on the state, but to see many of these folk, feeling they need to account for it. Mary was noticeably upset when she could not account for the $20.68, "I know I did not waste it, that's for sure, Mary remarked".

I asked Mary how it felt living under these conditions, for her it was minimal income, unfit housing and a child that needed, deserved much more than she could give. "I can't afford to take Eve to the movies, or to the fair while it's in town, I can't afford good cloths, toys or books and it's all about handouts and hand me downs". Mary admits, "I have thought about putting Eve up for adoption, so that she'd have a better life with someone who could afford more for her, but what about love? no one could love Eve more than I. I can't do it though, my real mother did me that way, I wish she could see, she created another her. I am not OK with that.

Mary finally answered my question, "it's like serving a life sentence for a crime you never committed. Each time the phone rings, I fear it's a social worker telling me I am being cut, or a bill collector wanting payment before I can make it. I think about emergencies, my adoptive mother, who raised me from childhood lost her Mom to cancer, I could not afford to travel to my Nana's funeral even. I am 25, Eve is nearly seven, it will be to late for me to start building a life after she's grown. It's mess of a life". Can I tell you more real soon?

I left Mary that day feeling a sense of shame, shame that I helped create her world, and the same for others by supporting a system based on resource development and human suffering. I am sorry Mary, for not creating the awareness sooner. I'll see you next week.

Who Is Capable Of Minding The Shop

I was curious to know who is really minding the shop, after all, let us be fair with at least ourselves. I'd like to think that the men and women of government, who at least legislate our policy for Labour Relations, Labour Rights and even human rights, and for the same who police hiring laws under our constitution would be halfway educated in being able to do so!

It's a shame really,

• The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Minister of Transportation and Works,
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services
• Minister of Government Services and Minister Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency
• Minister of Labrador Affairs
• Progressive Conservative Caucus Whip
• Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
• Deputy Chair of Committees of the House of Assembly
• Deputy Chair of Committees
• Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat
• Minister of Health and Community Services
• Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

That is eleven high profile post being over seen by either trade school grads or no formal education. Are you scared yet? The Conservatives have 23 university grads, 9 trade school grads and 12 no post secondary education elected to office, all deciding our faith.

In the real anyone without at least a trade school diploma will earn minimum wage. Am I being realistic or fair, maybe not, these fine folk are elected and not hired, however with that said, the ultimate and fundamental standards we shape our society and employment systems around are tossed out the window. It's like being legally able to cheat the democracy.

Brudder

The Liberal Party Wants Provincial Government to Improve Mental Health Services for Children and Youth!

The Liberal Party wants the provincial government to improve mental health services for children and youth. Leader Yvonne Jones says the problems being faced in our youth mental health system outpaces the clinical treatment capacity available. She wants to see a long-term treatment facility in the province and plans to push the idea when the House of Assembly re-opens this fall.

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I remember being in ER Health Science, one time, there were 45 patients lined up in a 22 bed unit, 27 of those were in nooks, crannies, corridors and even patient waiting rooms so that there would be room at the inn for all. A family member of mine had taken a heart attack and while she had been placed in a proper bed, we were awaiting a room/bed up stairs. We were into the third day waiting, and it crossed my mind to get something done.

I made some phone calls to some political friends in opposition, and boom, I got that bed, however, should it be like that?

It was media time, and a story was taken, but folk let me say, the story printed was a far cry from the one told. 45 patients in emerge, a rare occurrence said the patient placement manager Ms. Kinsella at the time. Meanwhile, Dr. Baggs said it was a daily occurrence.

Our Health Care system has been about lies and cover-ups for years. The breast cancer scandal, radiology scandal, insufficient services. People are dying, our current government is letting it happen.

It's not about Blue, Red, Orange or Green, it's about life and quality of it. Our provinces most vulnerable in this case suffers most. Those in poverty, children, disabled and seniors are living in a tailor made cesspool of pain and humiliation because they do not count. Burdens on our taxpayers.

I stand with The Liberal Party in their belief we need more but adequate service to address child mental issues right here at home.

Brudder

Suicide and Teens

Health Minister Ross Wiseman insists there is not enough need for a long-term facility in Newfoundland and Labrador to deal with mentally ill children.

"You know, the numbers that have been presented thus far through the health authorities say it happens very rarely and when words such as 'rarely' are used, that indicates that it isn't a large number," Wiseman said.

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It's often difficult to grasp, but an obvious truth exist that there is a price placed on life in this province. The Cameron inquiry has uncovered that philosophy, and proved it's truth time and time again. It becomes easy to discredit this kind of thought, simply because it sounds bad.

A sad irony, our Health Care system has been using a viability type assessment process in delivering care in this province for many years, and for the most part has been able to keep it under wraps. In essence, what this means is this! If your Mom, Dad, Little Brother and your Granny at age 80 comes to an ER with life threatening injury and if ER resources are low, the most likely fatality will be Granny. Figure it out!

Another sad development in Health Care, one which bothers me most, is the vehicle this clown Wiseman uses to deliver his dirty we can't help you message, his front liners are the ugly persons in even the most forgiving heart.

The system is full of worn and tired social workers, who put their best foreword in calming families over such travesty. Ross Wiseman and entourage have been coining dollars, openly and publicly and obviously without shame as a reason for not maintaining a fully functional health youth mental health care system in this province.

Often communities of all types especially children get lost in a much larger puzzle, all the while our most fundamental human resource, in that of our social workers are being both emotionally and physically torn apart over following broken policy, versus doing what's humane for their clientele.

Ross Wiseman, people are suffering, especially our children, and I find it extremely difficult not to view your view on this issue as being totally contradictory. Just two days ago, you ask people to report child abuse. Well sir, you ought to be the first one reported. Your views, your departments views and your governments views in my opinion should be illegal. Any child dying because a mandated component of health care was not provided, should not be viewed as anything less than systemic manslaughter. As the man responsible, you are failing to provide the necessity of life to these kids.

Brudder

The provincial government's computerized subsidized drug program will be offline on Saturday and Sunday,

leading to concerns from pharmacists and doctors that patients could suffer consequences.

Health Minister Ross Wiseman said Friday people can bring in their prescriptions and the pharmacist can still fill them, but they have to pay for it themselves and then get reimbursed by keeping receipts and submitting them to the program.

How much stupidity can pour out of one mans mouth, in the same week and without leaving some shadow of doubt over his own intelligence? We exist in a time, where amalgamated beliefs and truths make up the reality of a given and accepted understanding of what is. That said, someone missed the b0at on this suggestion!

The very people who need these drug programs, are the same people who live on the $550.00 monthly, or $225.00 bi-weekly for all amenities. Where would you suppose the money from the last HRLE cheque these people received is? A savings account maybe?

Insulting is what your pre-thought is Mr. Wiseman, a mockery at best. I remember seeing you out to the keg restaurant, I do believe, sometime back, what your table spent on one night was worth more than the monthly income for a family of four under income support.

Mr. Wiseman, your Milk is some child's watered down big-8 cola, your T-Bone is some child's no name bi-product lunch meat, your lobster is some child's no name canned tuna.

Children in need of drugs such as insulin, Ritalin, Asthma drugs, antibiotics and other crucial drugs may not be able to wait for a weekend to pass to get them!

Brudder