Check your medical records!!

Wallflower

I never thought would my JW upbringing would ever come back to haunt me, but it sure gave me a jolt today.

Brought up as a JW from birth. My father always an elder and my mother the Prima Donna, we were at every assembly and meeting, there was always the home study, field service, had the CO stay with a few times, we moved to where the need was greatest in 1974, (moved back in 1989). At about 1 or 2 years old, so I was told, I should have an operation to have my adenoids(?!) operated on but they couldn't find a doctor at the time who would operate without blood - poor me.

Anyhow time rolls on. At 18 I'm DA'd for smoking (a couple of cigars - wow). Push Jehovah and his Organization to the back of my mind and get on with life. Move out, get married, get divorced. Only went to the doctor when I felt a bit poorly, never had anything seriously wrong until aged 36 when I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. That came as a surprise, no known family history, not overweight, ran 20 miles a week. Now I have to go the doctors a lot more than I had to because of check-ups, prescriptions etc.

Forward to today. My partner and I have just moved to Scotland, so we have had to change doctors. I get my first check up at the new practice. They took blood samples last week and the results have come through, sugar levels good, cholesterol is 4.2 and blood pressure is OK. I'm quite pleased.

The doctor says to me at the end of the session, "We have just had your records come up from your old practice.". I nod, "I take it that being a Jehovah's Witness that you will refuse blood transfusions and all blood related products?"

WTF! After I picked myself up off the floor I asked him, not very politely, "What are you talking about? My parents are JW's but I certainly am not!"

"Oh," he said, "I found this in your records" and he showed me a printed form stating that I reject all blood products. "I'll throw this away then shall I?"

"Er, yes please."

This statement has been in my medical records since my birth. Its been following me like a shadow. Who knows what would have happened if I'd needed emergency surgery, with no one to state that I would have blood.

So all you folks that were brought up in the "truth", check your medical records, you never know what secrets you'll find in there!

blondie

I would recommend getting a healthcare proxy as well that specifically says you will accept blood products and appoints a primary and alternate to act for you in case you are unconscious. Especially, if you have JW relatives. It will give any non-JW partner or relative the legal right to act for you. File this in your important personal papers, give a copy to the primary and alternate, your doctor, your clinic, your hospital, and in your file. Keep it in your glove compartment and on your person as well (reduced).

Blondie

Purza

I agree with you and Blondie and I might add -- revoke any previous powers of attorney/health care directives that appoint your JW relatives as your agent. I did this recently as my brother was listed as my agent -- yep the same brother that turned the elders on me.

Purza

hillbilly

I did too... comes to find out I am a 88 year old Jewish lady named Estelle......... these support hose are killing me.

Hill (thanks for the heads up... will call this week and check mine)

Mulan

The first time I went for my yearly checkup after we left the JW's, my doctor asked me if there was anything new in my life. So, I told her about leaving the JW's. She smiled and said "good" and wrote a note on her file. Then she asked me if she could take that reference out about no blood. I told her that was the point. She grinned at me, and I felt like she had newfound respect for me too.

We had a similar thing with Dad. He is also no longer a JW and is 91. For one of his hospital stays, the registrar commented about his being a JW and passed over a no blood transfusion paper for him to sign. He told her to put it away and take that information out of the computer.

A good reminder. Thanks.

Wallflower

Blonde : Unfortunately you have to opt back in, it cannot be assumed that even if you say you have left the faith that they will not find some obscure document left in your file and err on the side of caution. You have to state your desire to be treated as normal.

Purza : The trouble with JW relatives is that the death before Armageddon is a free pass to the New Order. I cannot put my hand on my heart and say with complete honesty that my JW wouldn't deny me blood to save my life, because they would think that it would save a wordly son. Frightening.

Hillbilly : Fishnet support hose eh? You cheeky thing!

Mulan : That was my experience too. The doctor looked at me, sitting in my bike leathers and said, "You a biker, I should think so.", and ripped the "no blood" statement out of the file. It's another stupid belief that tries to set them apart from the rest of Christianity, like the stake issue, the trinity, but this one costs peoples lives!

blondie

Unfortunately you have to opt back in, it cannot be assumed that even if you say you have left the faith that they will not find some obscure document left in your file and err on the side of caution. You have to state your desire to be treated as normal.

I would recommend getting a healthcare proxy as well that specifically says you will accept blood products and appoints a primary and alternate to act for you in case you are unconscious. Especially, if you have JW relatives. It will give any non-JW partner or relative the legal right to act for you. File this in your important personal papers, give a copy to the primary and alternate, your doctor, your clinic, your hospital, and in your file. Keep it in your glove compartment and on your person as well (reduced).

If you notice, wallflower, that is exactly what I was saying, confirming that you must tell your physician, your clinic, your hospital, your non-JW family but to take it one step farther and supply a legal document called a healthcare proxy that will appoint someone (and an alternate) to act for you should you be uinconscious and unable to speak for yourself.

Any JW family then will be less likely to interfere with the person you have appointed and your doctor because it will be in writing under your signature, witnessed by 2 people.

I would recommend giving a copy of this to your doctor, your clinic, your hospital and both people you pick to act for you.

This will be put in your medical file. A copy should be given to each person selected, in your important papers file.

I agree wholeheaartedly that you must tell your physicians right away. I keep a copy in my wallet (reduced) and in my glove compartment in case of an accident.

I told my doctor right away before I any medical problems as well as any specialists I am seeing.

They were glad to have it in writing under my signature, witnessed by 2 people, to confirm my verbal request.

I take it you have never executed a healthcare proxy. You do not slip it into your file without telling your doctor. It is given to your doctor with your explanation in person of your change in feelings about blood transfusion (or other procedurs such as resuscitation and being willing to donate your organs if you should die). I'm sorry if I did not make it clear. This document along with a verbal discussion with your doctor makes your position even stronger.

Blondie

confusedjw

At 18 I'm DA'd for smoking (a couple of cigars - wow).

I find this even more incredible in your post.

This is good advice though. I took a trip to the doctors to personally pull the no-blood info in my kids records and my own this summer. My wife did it 2 months ago.

Good reminder!

Wallflower

At 18 I'm DA'd for smoking (a couple of cigars - wow).

I find this even more incredible in your post.

I was 17 and went on a college trip to London. Unfortunately, I repeated the whole story (I suppose with a bit of bravado) to a brother I was working with at the time. He had an admission of guilt, hence me up before the JC. It was only a couple of cigars, but maybe I might of exaggerated little.

Rabbit

It is scary how these things can "pop-up". I had back surgery earlier this year. I told my surgeon that I had changed my mind and do not consider myself a JW. He said they always use "Cell saver" technology and other things to keep from getting into that position of needing a transfusion. I loved the smile he gave me, he looked me all over, almost as tho' he didn't really know me. He could tell this was a big deal for me and said "Well...alright, there should be no need, but, thank you and I will put it in your record right now.

I explained...some JW relatives might be there and under NO circumstances was anyone to come out an "talk" with anyone, if there had been the need for a transfusion -- except the designated people. He said, "No problem, that's very easily done with the Privacy Laws nowadays." I also explained what the JW's could do, if my 'change of heart' was found out. He knew about the 'issue' but, had no idea there was any 'punishment'.

Then, just before the surgery...I found (in horror) my tattered Blood Card, signed by an Elder and me -- in my wallet !

Since then I have signed a "Living Will" and a directive about life-saving measures. And I have given copies to my wife and Dad (the alternates).

Funny thing...one of my most brain-washed JW sisters has back trouble, too. She asks about the Doctor, "Yeah...but (fishing ) how is he about the Blood issue ???" I said, "No problem...no problem at all..."

Check your medical records!!

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