If you're lucky you have someone to drive you to one specialist after another, and all they seem to care about is their fee.

People don't need hand holding, but they don't need to put up with doctors who are deep in professional deniability.

I don't have a solution.

I watched my father go through hell with his cancer diagnosis. They had residents comming into his hospital room Palpating his liver tumor. The last straw was when this very young person came in, and started to lift his gown.

I had a feeling what was going on, but asked anyways, "What are you doing?" White smock, "Oh, I need to palpate the patient!" Me, "You are the third person pushing into his right upper quadrant, for no apparant reason? Are you a resident, and just learning on my father?" The person abruptly left the room.

All the doctors said we can't help you father, but we had to drag him into their fancy offices. And they loved his insurance plan. It was a good one. Paid 90% of whatever they charged, and they charged.

Specialist, "Well after reviewing your chart, I can't help."

Rinse repeat, after another doctor's office call. "I would like to see you!"

Done. I thought Pallitive Care would be efficient.

Then a call from a Doctor. "I can help you." He also gave a speech on drinking. I knew at the time, this little stocky dude was enticed by the good insurance, but what do I know?

Well, after a week, my dad gets the call. "I'm sorry. I can't help you." He did seem sincerely dissapointed.

Weeks later my father slowly wither away in pain. The hospice doctors never quite gave enough medication.

(It got to the point, if I knew a drug dealer, I would have gone out to buy heroin for my father. Great system?")