Some medical practitioners should listen to patients

Dear Editor,

Mr. Ashead’s letter in last week’s Journal would have been humorous, had it not struck a nerve with tales of “pass the buck,” hearing without listening, and dramatic overreactions by caregivers. But, he touched on a mindset almost ubiquitous in our region’s medical practices, wherein some practitioners feel input from the patient is useless—if not bothersome.
Recently, I visited a walk-in clinic suffering severe chest pains. I told the doctor what I thought was wrong (pleurisy) and what I needed (pain meds). When he left the room, my wife said “He thinks you’re here for drugs!” Returning with, “We don’t have any narcotics at this office,” I grabbed his stethoscope, placed it on my chest, and gave a few breaths. With that, he said I should consult a lung specialist “within the next two weeks.”
The following afternoon a somber voice message said, “I think I may have misdiagnosed you; I want you to report to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.” Once there, I repeated what was wrong and what I needed. However, I had to wait for a specialist to arrive from Harborview.
Even after the doctor approved my request for pain relievers, it took staff 40 minutes to comply, at $9 a pill—for Ibuprofen! When hours of hoses, wires, radioactive gas, angioplasty, and Brun Hilda’s vice-grip on my groin was over, they treated me for what I told everyone I had and gave me what I had been asking for— along with a bill for $5,800!
No doubt there are some excellent, caring doctors in our region—I now have one. Even so, the stories of selective hearing, misunderstanding the obvious, and unbridled greed that have touched my family in the last few years would fill a small book—while costing a small fortune.

Bill Cook
Lake Stevens

Miss Aquafest 2011-2012 says goodbye

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank the Lake Stevens community for giving me the privilege to represent them as 2011-2012 Miss Aquafest. 
This last year has been a whirlwind of amazing opportunities and new experiences. 
After being crowned, my year started out with riding in parades all summer promoting Aquafest.  I can say, even as a big girl, it was a lot of fun riding in a horse drawn carriage. 
During Aquafest, I was given the chance to do a radio interview, where I was able to tell everyone about Aquafest, and how it promotes opportunities for young women to be role models to those around them by leading through example. 
Personally, I have been able to watch all of my Queen Sisters set amazing examples of selflessness to the girls around them. 
Aquafest is a wonderful program that has allowed me to show other girls how to be role models, and to learn from them as well. In 2001 I started aspiring to become Miss Aquafest because this was the year my sister was crowned Miss Aquafest. 
In my eyes she got to become a real queen and that is every little girl’s dream.
Being Miss Aquafest has taught me what it truly means to be a queen.  To be a queen means much more than just wearing pretty dresses and tiaras. It means you are confident in who you are and what you stand for.  It means you are willing to constantly learn how to better yourself so you can teach others. 
Finally, it means you are willing to make sacrifices for others because your heart should always shine brighter than your tiara. 
These are a few of the lessons I have learned this last year that will stay with me forever. 
Lake Stevens is a truly amazing community.  In all the events I attended last year, such as the trick-or-treating on Main Street, the 9-11 service, Showcase Lake Stevens and Aquafest, I could see just how strong of a community Lake Stevens is. 
I am truly blessed to have been allowed to represent this amazing community. 
I would also like to thank my Queen Sisters and Ambassadors for all their love and support this last year. You girls are true queens. 
Again thank you Aquafest Executive Board, Janice and Linda for creating this program.
 
Chantel Clifford
Miss Aquafest 2011-2012