Spinal-CON-Fusions: My Tail

by Dee Remmelts

Overview

The main focus is on degenerative disk disease.

After four spinal surgeries, I was still able to work. However, it was in 1984 that a spinal fusion with implants of Harrington rods was performed. I was told that the fusion was doing very well again and again. I was told by the surgeon that I could go back to work. This never happened.

Comments from people who have read my story:

"I like the fact that you explained the medical terms. This will be a warning for all not to trust without questioning." (A.A)

"The most telling part (for me) is not the lies, the dishonesty, the deceit, the awful legal and medical system you had to wade through to find some 'justice' or in your case 'injustice'; but rather your story of re-inventing yourself, graduating at the age of 64, is very inspiring Ð which gives life to the concept, 'it is never too late to start'." (Dr.F.E)

"You should have a message on the front like, "WARNING: This book may cause your blood pressure to rise suddenly!" Interesting reading as it not only draws in the reader, but evokes strong feelings-especially from those of us who are reliant on the medical profession, and anger that you had to go through that-gggrrr!! You also demonstrate the problems with lawyers and law suits.

After reading this very informative book, my eyes were opened to what can happen when undergoing surgery. The pain, suffering and horror of this lady's struggle to get back to a life with meaning after she had spinal surgery, left her dependent on a wheel chair for the rest of her life. This is a harrowing tale of trusting a surgeon whose mistakes were made not just because of technical difficulties but because of inexcusable carelessness! " (B.L.}

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426962165
Publisher:	Trafford Publishing
Publication date:	12/28/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	138
File size:	746 KB

About the Author

Please note that Diedricha will donate 10% of the profits to help children with a disability.

Diedricha was born in Holland in 1933. She survived World War II which, due to malnutrition, was the original cause of her disabilities. She and her husband came to Canada in 1957 and became Canadian in 1962. She worked in various offices mostly related to general insurance. During that time various spinal surgeries were performed which made her well enough to continue to work after the healing process.

She became a mom in 1972 and rather than going back to a job she studied interior design, architectural drafting and perspective rendering. Working from home allowed her to be with her daughter rather than have her go to day care. She officially started her business Deekor Design and became very successful. She mainly worked with developers of big townhouse and apartment projects. She was in charge of colour co-ordination and display suites. She became later more involved in architectural rendering and together with her former drafting teacher was ready to expand more into that area. Many opportunities arose and the future looked promising.

It was in 1984 that she was hospitalized and underwent major spinal fusions with Harrington rods inserted. Two additional surgeries had to be performed related to the surgeon's sloppiness. In the end she was no longer able to continue with her business.

After a lengthy medical malpractice experience she and her daughter ended up in a small apartment and on Welfare. Diedricha started a correspondence course through Open Learning University focusing on Psychology. Because of eventually obtaining a wheel chairshe was able to attend University of Victoria. She became involved very much with issues related to students with a disability and was part of major positive changes. As president for several years of the Society for Students with a Disability (SSD) she was able to together with other students and some professors to instigate Disability Awareness Day (DAD) creating more awareness on campus. She graduated at age 64 and became a counselor focusing on people with disability issues. Even though many students could not afford a counselor, she would help them anyway. Just to be able to help was enough pay.

Years later she started to write and this is her first book. The hope is that if other people learn about "trust" then it will all have been worth it.

Having been involved with students with disabilities it is her sincere desire to donate 10% of the profits to help children with disabilities.