terry, first where do you live, because i sure want the name of your doctor.
i havent found anyone yet like the ones you describe, but i havent given up
yet.  as far as who pays for the "high tech" tests, etc. my mother has
private insurance which we pay for , but if the world at large including me
does have to pay for others to be tested, i would rather my tax dollars be
spent there than some  of the places I understand they are currently being
applied.    as for as your miracle, i sure hope you get it.   paula-----
Original Message -----
From: "Terry Bowers" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 3:44 AM
Subject: Re: The Great F-DOPA PET Scan Debate!


> 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.
>
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