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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 10, 1993)
•»VW* * ’• ■ »•♦*♦♦*** • * V NX V s y N ovember 10, 1993 « T he P ortland O bserver P age A2 -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- -------- ------------------------------------------------------ Wl]p '¡¡Jnrtlanh (©bseriier S e n d y o u r le tte rs to th e E d ito r to: E d ito r, P O B o x 3 1 3 7 , P o r tla n d , O R , 9 7 2 0 8 Dear Editor: This is a statement of facts re garding my medical care, at the V.A. Hospital in Portland Oregon. 1 have a history of hypertension which was brought to my attention, in March 17, 1967, while still in active service at Ft. Hood, Texas Medical Hold Co. My blood pressure was 140/90. since that time, I have had a blood pressure reading as high as 208/110, on May 2 1 ,1 9 9 0 .1 came to Portland, Oregon in 1989. I had never visited Oregon, but was stationed at Ft. lewis, W ashing ton. Being raised in Texas, 1 was attracted to the forest. Shortly afterm y arrival in Portland, I was about out of medicine. So I w ent to get a refill at the V.A. pharmacy which I received. At that time, I was advised that in order toreceiveadditional medicine,I would have to make an appointment to see a doctor. Bare in mind, that I am not against progress to research. Mymedi- cal records from the V.A. hospital Oakland, CA, and doctor records from Dr. Otis Round, private physician, was made available. I ended up taking 25 pills a day. I don’t know for how long until on one of my visits, I re turned the pills. There was no change in my blood pressure. I always felt lifeless. The doctor made no comment except asking me what I was taking now. 1 informed the doctor that 1 was on my original medication, in which I was only taking three pills a day. On the next visit, without making eye contact, the doctor said, “You know they pay money to people with blood pressure like yours.” I made no comment. On a later visit, I was ad vised that ifl would take this radiation treatment, it may show a better picture of what was going on inside of me. After a few visits, I became somewhat convinced that it might help in solv ing my blood pressure problem so, an appointment was made. Upon arrival, 1 received an authorization form to sign. The content of the form was down right frightening. I don’t re member the form word for word, but it stated that this procedure was strictly voluntary, and had been known, in some cases, to be fatal and cause can cer. The radiation should leave the body in about 3 days, the only persons who will know about this test will be you, us and the Food and Drug Ad ministration. I would be contacted every 2 to 5 years. I refused the test. Since 1 have been in Portland, 1 have had from CAT Scans, to M RI’s which showed no medical disorder or problem. The first suggestion was that 1 had an adrenal gland problem. I asked the doctor what does the adrenal glands have to with blood pressure. He said that it may or may not have anything to do with it. He stated that it was only a short operation on your side 1 1/2 inches long. An appoint ment was made to see the surgeon. I asked the surgeon what does adrenal glands have to do with blood pressure. He said, “Nothing”. He then stated that, in most cases, they do a small incision on the side, but in my case, they want to cut me wide open so they could see everything. 1 did not have the surgery. Shortly after that, I w as ap proached by the same doctor who had suggested the adrenal gland opera tion. He stated that there was a simple test that was normally done while in the hospital, but he had talked to staff and felt that it was O.K. to do the procedure in the clinic. It was only to check my hormones. The test was done by injecting a solution through an I.V. Within seconds, I could not breathe or speak. I thought I was dying. Slowly I regained control. The doctor sent for a nurse and kept me in the office for at least 1 1/2 hours. 1 had to get assistance from Congress to be assigned a permanent doctor. I was seen by at least six different doctors. None would answer m y questions, but would suggest that I talk with my other doctor. One o f the first state ments made by my new doctor was, “ You went to see Congress?” W hen ever I would ask questions, my ap pointment would be set back as far as four months. At first, my appoint ments were twice a month. I have been on medication for years and one thing I do know is that you do not stop all medication at once. On my next visit, my new doctor told me to stop all medication and take one pill. I questioned this procedure and the doctor said that he believed this pill would do it and that sometimes, one pill will work. I followed the doctor’s advice and within one day, by blood pressure went up to 208/110. This was on May 31, 1990. I was fortunate to have some o f my regular medicine. 1 hope I am not taking up too much time, but please listen to what I have to say next. The same doctor, who injected me to check my hor mones, said, “1 am convinced that irreversible damage had already been done, we will have to wail and see.” The doctor’s next predictions was that unless something is done in the next 9 months, this is w hat will hap pen: 1. Rapid weight loss 2. Cramps in the limbs and joints 3. Rad stomach cramps with se vere headaches 4. F o u l sm elling odor in bowel m ovem ents 5. Extrem e high fe v e r along with nose sores 6. Kidney or heart failure At the onset o f each prediction, my heart would pound so hard, that 1 could seem to hear it. As suddenly as it started, it would stop until the next phase. The rapid loss of weight lasted from about four days to a week. 1 received all kinds o f tests, except a urine test. I asked why no urine test was done. I received no answer. I feel that the test were given to find out what stage of the predictions I was in. After that visit, which was the last visit, I asked the same questions about what has happening to me. The doc tors said, “ You are doing fine.” My appointments have been set off for six months. Soon after number 2 ,3 ,4 , of the predictions happened, almost im mediately. As of today, November 2, 1993, I have not been to the V.A. Hospital, although I have been in fear of my life. All this, because I would not take an operation - that all tests said 1 didn’t need. At first, I thought it was coincidence. Now, I know it is real. I just experienced prediction number 5, where for almost four days, my temperature was up and down from normal to 102.9 degrees. When I asked the other doctors about my condition, they all say I am doing fine and they have no idea what was in jected in me because that it was some time back and the records are not available. I have feared the V .A . H ospi tal for som etim e. W hen I was able to w ork, I did not use the V .A . Now a fte r all that has happened, I fear for my life. This letter may not be able to help m e, since as one o f the d o cto rs put it, “ ...irre v ersible dam age had already been d o n e ..” , but m aybe it w ill spare som eone else. B esides, the people have the rig h t to know w hat is g o ing on. Another Vietnam Veteran 1. Y Portland Christian Schools Seeks Diversity by alternative for minority students look ing for a quality Christian education in Portland-V ancouver. Portland Christian Schools is a non-denomi- national evangelical Christian school, with classes ranging from day care through the 12th grade. Our three campus system in Portland and Van couver is the largest private school in the area (according to The Business Journal), with nearly 1,000 students in attendance in Portland and Van couver. Portland Christian is fully accredited (grades 7-12) with both the association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and the North west Association of Schools and Col leges (NASC). The school has been in continuous operation since 1947, serv ing Christian families who are seek ing a Christian education of excel lence for their children. Under the well known leader ship of Pastor Steve Holt, Mr. Tim Holt, Executive Director of Minority Youth Concerns Action Program (MYCAP),and the Rev. Willie Banks, D avid W. R obinson “It is the mission of Portland Christian Schools to educate students in the truth of G od’s W ord in every area of instruction and activity so that their lives may be transformed by the renewing of their minds.” W e’ve all heard it: “ A mind is a terrible thing to w aste.” O ur children, our students live in fear and violence. Drugs, gangs, poverty, and despair mark their horizon, and make it hard to resist the temptation to give up on life. Our community is losing many of the promising young lives it needs if it is to prosper in the future. Parents, comm unity leaders, pas tors and those in our business com munity are looking for solutions. How do we save our children? How can we help them to see the possibilities that life has to offer? How can lasting values, ones that are based upon the Lord’s eternal W ord, be transmitted to our students, so that they can grasp their future with hope and joy? The word is out! There is an Portland Christian has instituted an exciting new program, called the Minority S tudent Development Fund. This has been established to encour age Christian minority students to attend a quality program. We are also seeking to raise the support necessary to help our minority brothers and sisters who may be interested in at tending the school, but who find that they cannot afford the tuition. In this way, we hope to exemplify the diver sity and breadth of the Lord’s King dom, and allow our students to expe rience the richness of G od’s grace to all of His children. What would this require? The cost of educating students at Portland Christian is roughly half that of the public schools. For example, a kin dergarten child may attend our full- day kindergarten program for only S191.67 per month, or S2.300 per year. An elementary student costs S300 per month, or $3,600 per year; a junior high student attends for $320 per month, or S3,840 per year, while a senior high student pays $372.50 per month, or $4,470 per year. Stu dent discounts are applied for more than one child per family, with a maximum paymentofS7,900per fam ily, regardless of the number of chil dren. This compares quite favorably with other private schools in Port land-Vancouver area, with per stu dent rates of up to S9,000-510,000, and no discounting. Even at these lower tuition rates, however, many cannot afford to at tend Portland Christian. The response of the school has been to institute an aggressive fund raising effort to raise the money necessary to cover the cost of adding minority students to the school. Churches, businesses, civic groups, and individual donors are being encouraged to support this wor thy program for Christian youth. A number of firms and individuals have already expressed interest in helping our children in this way. How can you help? Portland W O M E N 'S STREET SELF-D EFENSE • and a burden for minority Christian students in our area. For more infor mation about the program ,or to make a donation to the m inority student aid fund, contact the Portland Christian Development Office at (503) 256- 3960. Pastor Holt or Rev. Banks would be glad to discuss ways for you to become more involved with Portland Christian. Speakers are available to appear at your church, business, or civic meetings. W ecan show you how a Christian education makes an in credible investment in the future of our community, and how it changes the lives of the students and families who commit themselves to it. Our children are our most pre cious resource! We should give them every opportunity to develop the minds that God gave them, and refuse the despair that threatens to swallow their lives. Join the P ortland C h ristian Schools in this important new pro gram for ourcom m unityand our chil dren! Christian is seeking help in two ways. First, the school is seeking funds to underwrite students. It is our goal to ra is e b e tw e e n $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 a n d S 100,000 annually for minority tu ition aid. If you or your church, civic group, or business would be inter ested in underwriting students, this would be a very tangible way of help ing the project. Second subject to funding, Port land Christian is always interested in qualified Christian students for its program. Families who would like their children to have an alternative to a landscape of fear,and would like them to develop Biblical values while enjoying an education of excellence, should contact the school concerning enrollment. Those who can afford the tuition may apply directly; those who cannot, may place their name on the list for consideration by the Minority Student Aid Committee. As funds become available, qualified students will be reviewed for admission. Portland Christian has a vision Be an ex-smoker ' (USPS 959-600) OREGON'S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION Established In 1970 by Allred L. Hondorson by this time next week! Joyce Washington Publisher Attend a free Monday class The PORTLAND OBSERVER Is iocated nt 4747 NE Marlin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97211 503-200-0033 • Fox 200-0015 Deadline for all submitted materials: Articles: Monday, 5:00 pm—Ads: Tuesday, noon POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Portland Observer, P.O. Box 3137, Portland, OR 97200. Second class postage paid al Portland Oregon. , 1 , Tho Portland Observer welcomes Ireolance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will bo returnee II accompanied by a sell addressed envelope. All created design display ads become the sole property ol the newspaper and can not be used In other publications or personal usage, without the writlon eynsent ol the general managor, unless the client has purchased the composition ol such ad. © 1993 THE PORTLAND O BSERVER. ALL RIG HTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART W ITHOUT PERMISSION IS ^y P a tric ia Allison's BreatheFree y • Critical self d efen se skills are tau g h t in a supportive and personalized a tm o sp h e re • Professional black belt instruc tion • R easonable rate s • Fee S chedule • Free Karate Uni form • Certificate Of C om pletion • Rank Prom otion "Testing Required" • W e D o : CRASH COURSES SEMINARS LONG TERM C LA SSES STARTER PACKAGE--EIRST TIMERS ONLY Includes: 3 M onths Of Training, O ne Night Per W eek (Tues, or Thurs.) 1 5 2 6 N.E. 3 7 th P o rtla n d , OR 9 7 2 3 2 (5 0 3 ) 7 6 1 -6 9 5 7 Subscrlptlons:$30.00 per year. , ♦ " Stop Smoking Program The only way to stopkm Voted "Portland's best stop smoking method" by Willamette Week A new class begins Monday, November 15th and continues each night through Friday at Providence Med ical Center. Classes start at 7pm and last u ntil 9:30pm. B rin g ) our smokes to the free Monday class (there w ill be a smoke break!) and be an ex-smoker by next week. If you don't stop you don't pay. Our program is unique and its fu lly guaranteed. For inform ation r«»//.' W om an's Self D efense/Portland Ju jitsu PROHIBITED. i i • Tho Portland Observer-Orogon's Oldest Alrlcan-Amorlcan Publlcallon- Is a member ol the National Newspaper Association-Founded In 1005, and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc., Now York, NY. and The Wosl Coast Dlack Publishers Association • D an iel J . D u vall B lack B elt, P o rtla n d J u jits u B lack B elt, J u jits u A m erica Serving Portland and Vancouver Class size limited. Pre-registration required. Call 243-2881 to register today! Smoking FACT: African Americans are nearly twice as likely to develop lung cancer as their white counterparts despite smoking fewer cigarettes. a i x » * z * z * • ' t * F i ' S * ' r ’ r * • t ■ A ia V
