Please don't let me panic or alarm you in any way,as that is NOT my intention in this reply.
But I have websites about my cellmate Gena Shoulders,who suffered imensely and died while begging for some sort of help from the lowsy infirmiry at pre-release(Lockhart Pre-release)..meaning Gena was on her way out the door when she begged for them to do more than just send her back to our cell telling her she had an earache.Bullcrap!She had a tiny tumor that could have been removed had medical done their jobs.
It's NO secret.The staff in those medical infirmary's are doctors and nurses that aren't suitable to have a practice in the freeworld due to whatever reasons (ie: malpractice,lawsuits etc..). I literally had to dress my celly,tie her shoes,and listen to her screams and cries day after day,night after night,helping her get to the toilet to vomit,cleaning up the vomit when she couldn't get to the toilet..just begging for some sort of relief from the pain in her head.
When you are housed with another inmate in a 2-man cell,you can't help but get close to them(in most cases).. Gena and I were a team,best friends as well as cellmates...and I ranted and raved on the net and to anybody that would listen for a long time after my release,looking for her family or friends in Wichita Falls so I could help them maybe get some sort of closure to her death,cuz the Warden lied to me face to face about what HER version of her death was! A lawsuit wouldn't bring Gena back,but it may have put a stop to them turning their heads on so many sick people.
I have my journal with dates to refer to,a copy of my letter complaining to the Warden for help...the date I went to the infirmary and begged for help for Gena and was told to "butt out"!! Now instead of a release date,she got the death penalty!!
Your PP or significant other may be on a better unit,I don't know.I just know what I saw on each unit "I" was sent to,and they were all the same.Gena wasn't the only death while I was in prison.EX:the lady in another dorm complained of extreme chest pains and was sent back to the dorm.She was dead through two counts(when the unit gets counted) before ANYBODY knew she was dead.
When someone gets REALLY sick..CALL THAT UNIT.Ask/demand to speak to medical.Let them know that EVERYTHING is being documented and bug the crap out of them.Call Huntsville if you are in Texas..call anybody and everybody you can call and let them KNOW that YOU know how he/she is being treated or NOT TREATED .

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"Not Perfect....Just Forgiven"

Thank you for caring for Gena when so many neglected her. I cannot imagine how helpless you must of felt being put in that position, and i hope you do find her family and peace along side that.
This is an honest fear i have if i am being truthful. I have been told the same stories you have shared here. I have also been told unless you make a "fuss" and let it be known they have family on the out's that do care and will make a stand for treatment, then the treatment is at times inadequate.
I too have also heard it said many a time in jest about those practicing medicine inside are not fit to care for your pets, let alone humans, but i would sincerely hate for that to be found as truth. I would hope some work their because they care and want to make a difference, and not just a pay packet.
The thing that concerns me the most is the amount of time it takes to be informed if a loved one is ill and needing more than just a simple hospital stay. Sometimes you find out sooner because a mutual friend will call you from inside, instead of the prison.
I have one friend that goes into detail about his work as a hospice carer, at first i was saddened, but now i have a different appreciation for all he does.
I pray their will never be a time i will have to experience first hand the hardships you endure within the system when a loved one is incarcerated and fighting for their life.

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If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

I know the feeling, my PP is having alot of pain with his shoulder. The doctor keeps cancelling the appointment and in the mean time he can barely write and says he can't sleep it hurts so bad. I want to just go pick him up and take him to my doctor but I know that is not possible. Part of me also wants to write the warden and tell him off for not giving him the attention he needs but I also know it might be out of the wardens hands too. It is driving me nuts. I just keep telling him that if it hurts that bad do not worry about writing me just to let it rest and maybe it will heal on its own.

Just an update, my PP sent me a letter today, guess they are finally doing something. He said they have been sending him to the hospital for different things. I assume he means tests to see what is wrong with it. So I am hoping they get it taken care of soon. He has only been sending me one page letters once a week, thats down from 4 to 8 page letters two to five times a week. So I know it had to be hurting. I want them to do whatever they need to be better but yet I am kind of selfish and want them to make sure he is done by the 16th so I can still visit for the first time. But if he is not able to keep that date due to getting the help he needs I will totally understand. Well just wanted to give an update.

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Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

finally some good news i'm glad they will take a look at it...please give him the best wishes from me.

hugs..whiterose.

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be nice to the people on your way up,because you will meet them again on your way down

Thank you Whiterose I will pass that on to him.

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Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Well got some more news, They found out his C6 vertabre is impacted and that is why he has so much pain. They still are not giving him pain meds, but atleast they are looking into it. Hopefully they decided to do something about it, his letters are getting harder to read so I know it has to hurt bad. I hate not being able to do anything.

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Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I think that probably is the hardest for me, not being able to do anything when they are sick, and knowing how many are left for long periods of time before being treated. Also the limited treatment given and how the information is often slow reaching you.

Gemma hope your friend is doing much better, and given time he will make a full recovery.

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If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind.
~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

Thanks Smiley. I posted an update on another thread. He was hurting for 3 months before they found out he had a dislocated shoulder. They popped it back in and at our last visit on Jan 30th he said it was almost back to normal. I was just upset it took 3 months for them to figure out it was that and not a pinched nerve like they said at first. But he is getting better so I am happy.

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Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.