Discrimination

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Hi everyone, it has been a long time since I have been here and my first post I wish was not on this subject but it does need to be addressed. I hope this is the correct place to post it as well.

In November 2014 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. The doctor performed a TURB (Trans Urethral Resection Bladder) and removed most of the cancerous tumor. The pathology results came back with Aggressive T2 High Grade Bladder Cancer. My doctor informed me that I will need to begin an intense 3 month chemotherapy regimen followed by surgery, removal of the bladder, lymph nodes. I began chemo in January of this year and just finished my regimen. During March 11 2014, while I was undergoing chemotherapy I encountered a reaction to one of the medications. I began to have seizure like symptoms and was unable to speak, body trembling and sweating profusely. The doctor had me rushed to Urgent care and they proceeded to order tests on me for a stroke. All tests came back negative. The Urgent care doctor still wanted to check on me so he had me stay overnight in the hospital for observation. This when things started to turn ugly.

When I arrived on the floor of the hospital where I was staying the nurses greeted me and motioned to the orderly where my room was. They had me in a private room. Please note, in my medical records it does say that I am transsexual. When I was settled in my room, several nurses came in and asked my friend if she could step out for a moment, they wanted to put a hospital gown on me, since I was unable to speak still I was not able to say anything. They then closed the door to the room and proceeded to undress me discreetly. One nurse asked if I wanted my bra on or off, I was able to at least say off to her. She did so and then another nurse began to take my panties off without even asking me. The nurse that took my bra off touched my bottom with both hands and spread my cheeks, she said that she was checking for a rash. I was completely humiliated, felt violated and helpless since I was unable to say anything. The nurses then put the hospital gown on my and left the room. My friend came back in and noticed that I was not doing so well but was unaware of what went on in the room when she was asked to leave the room. It was not until the next day that I was able to inform her. The next day is also when my rights as a woman were violated. All of my medical history was shared with everyone on the floor and even the kitchen staff. They all started addressing me as "sir", "he", "him", "man". I tried to correct them with the proper pronouns, yet they still addressed me as a male even though it plainly states on my medical records that I am female, even my hospital bracelet states female. My friend ended up stepping out and confronting my charge nurse and asking why this was happening and addressing the issue with her. The charge nurse stated that some of the procedures I had done in the past before I began my transition would only pertain to a male. That gave them no reason to share this information to everyone on the floor and address me as a male. The charge nurse had nothing to say. I left the hospital that afternoon.

I have since made a formal complaint to the hospital's patient advocate and they are investigating the circumstance. I also informed my Oncologist of what went on and he said that he would look into it as well. I have sent a detailed letter to the hospital administrator and the department of health, along with the patient rights and privacy form with circled areas of where my rights were violated. I have not consulted a lawyer, since I want to resolve this without legal assistance right now. If nothing does get resolved then I will consider legal help. I have been an emotional wreck from all this, getting better though. Thank you for reading and listening.

Angelgrlsue

[Charlize]

I'm so sorry for your sickness first and secondly for the terrible treatment you received at the hospital. I cannot speak about how the treatment of the admitting nurses. It is certainly possible that they were doing normal intake procedure for someone who has endured the medical treatments you have suffered through. I will speak about the lack of respect they showed you. That is shameful! I had some of that (only outside in the hall) in one hospital i was in following a heart attack. The second hospital got it right and bent over backwards to treat me with respect. I certainly would complain. At the very least the hospital should realize the harm it does their patients to be treated with so little understanding.

Hopefully your health will improve and you won't have to even worry about a hospital for a very long time.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Thank you Charlize, I sent the hospital administrator a guide on how to treat and respect the transgendered and hopefully he will distribute this to the nursing staff, actually the entire hospital for that matter, they all need to be educated.

Angelgrlsue

[Carolyn Marie]

Angelgrlsue, I am sorry that you've been ill, and you have my best wishes for a complete recovery and good health.

What happened to you is shameful, and I applaud your taking a strong stand against it and fighting for your rights. You've contacted all the right people and organizations, and I hope that they take it seriously and get back to you promptly. The hospital needs to have some training done of their staff, and that should be the beginning, not the end of the process. You should talk with a local LGBT center about offering to train them. I would also send a copy of your letters to the Transgender Law Center in San Francisco. They can further advise you on your rights. I wish you luck.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Sally]

Stay strong Sis!

Like I really need to remind you to do that.

Sorry for all of your troubles, we've talked about that already in PMs but i wanted to tell you here just how proud I am of you.

The tendency is to want to walk away and just forget about these things when they happen but you have taken the bigger step to bring this to the attention of the people who can make changes - it's something that will help the next transperson in that hospital.

Education is the key and you are supplying them with valuable knowledge.

Keep up the good work, love ya sis,

Sally

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Thank you Carolyn and Sally. That is a good idea Carolyn about sending a letter to the Transgender Law Center, I will do that as well and send one to my local LGBT center. This hospital is one of the top 10 best hospitals in America according to News and World Report magazine, I believe that is questionable.

AngelgrlSue

[Guest]

I'm certainly glad that you are feeling better, and I just don't underdtand why a 'professionzl'medical staff would behave to poorly...