BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Oct. 30, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Doctors are among the few professionals people often trust without question. However, as author Alice Ball points out in her new book, patients should question doctors more often to avoid the trauma she and her husband experienced. In the new book, Patient Betrayal (now available through 1stBooks), Ball tells of her husband's lifelong battle with the effects of kidney failure, caused by the incompetence of the people he trusted with his health.
John and Alice Ball were a typical young couple, full of hope and dreams for the future. After their first child was born, John discovered he had kidney problems caused by strep throat as a child. As a child, he was misdiagnosed with measles, which allowed the infection to spiral out of control.
In adulthood, John is treated with numerous medications, and he continues to take them until he becomes violently ill. He, at first, shrugs it off as the stomach flu. Yet, his conditions grow worse, beginning more than a decade of hospital stays and extensive medical care. When he becomes ill from the medication and doctors act overly confident, Ball's demand that he be transferred to another hospital saves John's life. After that, however, he endures dialysis treatments, a kidney transplant and baffling seizures. He eventually succumbs to the illness and dies.
A personal account of hope and faith, Ball tells how her husband dealt with horrendous medical problems, caused by doctor malpractice. Patient Betrayal is a testament to the importance of asking questions and doing research.
Ball writes that learning about medications, the doctor's background and the prescribed surgery is crucial to preventing the mishaps that can result from blind trust. Ball shares her story with many each year, in an effort to stress the value of one's health and the necessity of taking control of that care.
For more information, visit www.patientbetrayal.com.
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