Deafness, spinal meningitis, breast cancer, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, schizophrenia, lithium toxicity, hyperglycemia, renal failure, death...these are some of the diagnoses, correct or not, that my family has, during one time or another, grappled with. There have been times these diagnoses came one after another, like a blur, without much respite or allowance for a breath. During intervals of calm, the shadows of harsh medical labels receded into the background and my family was able to be "fully human". During these times there was no doctor hovering, no medical intervention, no hospital visits and all was relatively stable and well. The "diagnosis" during those times was "human". Yet it is important not lose sight of the fact that every day, regardless of medical condition, we were human and stronger than any label.

This is a semi-autobiographical story of one family's struggles and triumphs despite adversity, bad medicine, and bad science, the witnessing of the breaking of the Hippocratic Oath, which was to protect us, and how they managed to deal with the aftermath of a tremendous betrayal and disappointment in medical professionals who had pledged to protect us and make our lives better.
4-25-13

Rob 1963- 2002

Life growing up
Schizophrenia misdiagnosis
Bipolar
Zyprexa

Anne Gray 1966-

Born hearing
Spinal meningitis misdiagnosed
Sexual abuse
PTSD, anxiety depression
Death of brother, grief, chasing meds
Stabilization

Ellen 1941-
Childhood
Lost father
Alcoholism in family
Bipolar diagnosis
Breast cancer, leak
Son's death
Off meds
Anti-psychiatry

Dick Bleecker 1920- 1943
Married to Granny
Break
Death from ECT

Aftermath