Dear Tom,

Thank you for pointing out the fact I sometimes disagree with histrionic
headlines.  I must admit my complete lack of knowledge concerning the great
PET scan debate, this is the first I have heard about it.  The point I was
trying to make is if you know you have Parkinson's then why would you want
to spend the time or the money to verify the obvious?

If my recollection serves me I exhibited most of the classic and Cardinal
symptoms of this disease when I first went to see a neurologist.  And when I
was administered levodopa my symptoms were alleviated within a week.  So
pardon me if I don't feel like I need to take a PET scan.

I must also take exception to this constant and never ending diatribe
against our physicians.  I must be one of the luckiest men when it comes to
having good doctors.  I cannot think of one time since my Parkinsonian
journey has begun when I felt like my care and treatment were substandard.
Or when I felt like I was receiving short shrift from my neurologist. I
firmly believe that the doctors I've seen take their oath of Hippocrates to
heart.  I can see their absolute duty to do good for their patients,
beneficence.  I can see their commitment to do no harm, nonmaleficence.  I
am impressed by my doctors allowing me the benefit of self determination,
autonomy.  And finally I am taken aback when I observe their every attempt
to be fair and to treat people with equity of reasonableness without
discrimination, Justice.

I suppose what caught my attention on this great PET scan debate is the
larger issue of how do we ration care to the 40 + million Americans who lack
any health insurance.  The technology your speaking of has got to be
considered high tech medical care.  And the question that begs answering is
whom in our society should benefit from this high tech medical care? Those
who can afford it, or those most in need? And who pays? My private
insurance, or the public at large?

Let's be grown up about this and realize that health-care in our great
country is market driven.  And a new medical technology is quite expensive.
I can see a time very soon now where we as a nation are going to have to
accept some type of health care rationing because the demands will outstrip
the resources.  (Like having every person with Parkinson's, or think they
might have Parkinson's, or think they may not have Parkinson's demand a PET
scan. ) I'm not so sure that as country we will ever see people like myself
and others who are convinced of our Parkinson's diagnosis running down to
get our PET scan anytime soon. Ethically, isn't it our responsibility to
promote a sense of all by not hoarding exotic medical resources?

I appreciate your invitation to speak in Albuquerque this coming October.
However I must respectfully decline since I already have prior commitments.

And with respect to the tagline in my e-mail signature file that says "A
cure by 2005" I give to you the following from my heart.  You can find this
in John 9:1-3, As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since
birth.  Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was
it because he or his parents sinned?"

"No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered.  "But because of this, you will see God
work a miracle for him."

Sincerely,

Terry Bowers

-- As a young-onset patient of Parkinson's Disease,
a progressive, degenerative, as yet incurable
neurological disorder, Terry has become a tireless
Advocate, speaking and writing on behalf of
Parkinson's patients and their families and caregivers.

To invite Terry to come and speak to your group,
club or organization contact him at
[log in to unmask] or call him at 254-747-0856.
Topics include Parkinson's Awareness,
Activism and Self-Determination, Bioethics, and
Stem Cells and Their Sources.

"A cure by 2005"
Texas Parkinsonian Advocate
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: "'Terry Bowers'" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 6:51 PM
Subject: RE: The Great F-DOPA PET Scan Debate!


Always leave it up to Terry to be the odd man out on any subject.

I believe that I do have Parkinson's, thus no denial. If I was in denial
would I spend 16+ hours a day advocating STEM CELLS, participating in
discussions, getting up at 4am to post Parkinson's related news, or
establishing national 501C3 Parkinson's associations?  Denial....no.

Faith in my physicians. Absolutely not. I have faith in me and in the
PWP community. Of the 13 neuros and 2 MDS's I have worked with in two
years only one of the MDS was worth a dam and he is in DC.  Too often do
we all hear: "You look good, here try this drug, see you in 6 months.".
I want to see a change in the system so those following in my footsteps
do not have to put up with such things.

Self insured? Oh my....... I have no insurance, I am lucky or not to
fall under the VA health care system.

Noticed your "Cure by 2005" line in your signature.  How do you feasibly
expect such a miracle if you constantly argue against the entire PD
community? Specifically the young onset? We must tackle all aspects of
PD together and that includes making the F-DOPA SCAN a normal part of
diagnosis (as is MRI).  Also your signature says to invite you to come
and speak to your group etc.........you are hereby officially inivited
to come speak at the 1st Annual Southwest Regional Parkinson's
Conference and 1st Annual Young Onset Parkinson's Disease Walk in
Albuquerque New Mexico from 10-12 October 2002. Please reply NLT 10
September 2002 to accept/refuse this request so we can fit you into the
lineup of speakers.  Information on the events maybe found at
www.youngparkinsons.com/symposium.htm.  We all look forward to hearing
what you have to say about your efforts in "Awareness", Activism, Self
Determinatino, Bioethics, and STEM CELL. Expect an audience of 150-200
and let us know what AV items you need. See you in October.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn