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Subject: Thanks to My Supporters
Time: 9:24:00 AM EDT
Author: kheadenmd
Mood: Hopeful
I couldn't have made it through the last week if I didn't know there were people who supported and believed in me, so I must thank those of you who made the sympathizing comments on both sites. The situation is much like a death in that my reputation has been attacked and killed in an underhanded an unnecessary manner. When one knows they have done wrong and are caught is much different from when one makes an effort to do the right thing and others use their power and influence to make that person appear to be wrong.
I don't want to use words such as "witch hunt" or "framed" but those words in a sense could be seen as appropriate. Since this has happened to me I have researched the history of the issue and read about the Harrison Act of 1914 that led to thousands of physicians being arrested and jailed for treating patients with opioid medications for medical reasons. That was almost a hundred years ago. I thought things might be different now. The technique is different with the media available to reach so many people in a subliminal manner today. I suppose if I read and heard the things that were published about me I would assume the subject to be a terrible person as I'm sure many people do. The funny thing is that for those who aren't aware or that support me it doesn't make one bit of difference or makes the alliance even stronger. I feel worst for those who are divided such as my family who I never shared with the fact I was trying to resolve this issue with the Board for the past three years. They find out on the evening news and of course are shocked and devastated, mostly from a lack of understanding of what it all means. They just sense that I am in a lot of trouble.
I am thankful it is the Medical Board and not the DEA since they are capable of being more fair about things and they were until they decided to go ahead with this consent order. The only real problem I have is feeling betrayed by being forthcoming and providing them everything they asked for and them cherry picking just the things that would support their case, much of which is inaccurate information, some provided from drug addicts who became hostile when not given what they wanted. I was wrong to assume that the Board would side with me. They are a governing body and politics always play a role with governing bodies. This whole thing is more about them appearing to do their job and has very little to do with me and my patients because most of us are happy and content without their intervention. I do feel it to be unfair because I do know of doctors who have done things that have actually hurt people and it never made the news.
All I can say at this time is that I'll let my conscience be my guide and I'll try and practice what I preach to others. When I'm counseling others I often say that a lot of good can come from the bad situations we face in life. For one, it lets us know who our true friends are for they will always stick by us and never doubt us no matter what others say. I love practicing psychiatry but I hate the climate I have to practice in. There are so many forces to contend with. The comments I received have reassured me that not every force is adversarial and for that I am thankful. Regardless of the outcome of my situation I believe in the long run it will make me a stronger and a better person. I have committed no crime and have been charged with no crime. I have done my best to practice according to the Hippocratic Oath but this is not the day of Hippocrates. It takes a whole lot more than just good intention in this day and time.
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this is xxxx's husband, tom. i cannot begin to tell you the difference you have made in xxxx's life. i also cannot thank-you enough. she refers to you as her greatest cheerleader. i really would like to meet you soon. reidsville, as you already know is small town with lots of assholes that like to gossip. i know you are glad you don't have to deal with it anymore. this news from a good friend of mine , the pharmicist was a shock that we didn't need right before our vacation. your reply made all her stress go away. thank you thank you thank you. please let us know what we can do on this end to clear this up. go tarheels tom weeks. also xxxx told sarah that no pharmacy in reidsville would fill or refill any of your narcotic scripts. our home phone is xxx xxx xxxx my cell is xxx xxx xxxx. thanks again
Tom -
I would just like to take this time to tell you that I support you. I understand your words on your site, every single word. It seems in this world that the truth will always be punished. You have always done the "right" thing and still continue to do the right thing. Maybe thats exactly why this is happening. My parents lack understanding of the situation but their comments were not really all that negative but they do lack understanding. I told them that I support my Doctor because he truly does the right thing. I dont suppose there is much I can do at this time but to express to you that it has been more than a pleasure being your patient, and I hope to continue to be your patient in the future. If there is more that I can do I am sure it will be revealed. I knew right off the bat that we would and could be friends and I will regret any time in the future that might be taken away from us to become better friends. You have superb qualities, and I see a lot of your questions and ponderings as being the same that are in my mind. I have also always seen us both as if we were both on a very similar quest or path for knowledge even though our lives and age differ. I see us agreeing on more things that we have had the time to talk about. I will still continue to seek your guidance no matter what the outcome is.
Anonymous
6/24/08 6:46 PM
God this is scary. Look, I can at least listen to you and maybe explain a little what they are doing. Also, unfortunately you are not out of the woods with the Fed, either. There is nothing stopping them from criminally charging you once the State has finished with you.
A lot depends on how you and your lawyer (you do have a lawyer on the job, right?) have done and said so far.
Anyway, too many possibilities to type out. If you want to, Sir, please call me: and we can talk it through. I will give you whatever experience I have about how to proceed.
I am sure you are worried - but you surely need not feel guilty. This is a witch-hunt. You, in all likelihood, are just a compassionate doc who tried to practice ethical medicine. And you probably thought the medical board was actually controlled by peer docs whom you could reason with. And I guess you understand now how wrong you were about medical boards. Panic is not called for. It is not even personal.
Anyway, call me if you want to, doc. We'll talk. I'll try to help.
..alex...