Global Women's Voices: Share Personal Stories

Deirdre, United States

Submitted by: Deirdre

I had surgery to remove an ovarian tumor several years ago. They then subscribed birth control pills to help prevent another tumor. I recently was in a hospital, not by my will. They refused to give me the birth control pills even though I told them it was to help prevent another tumor. At the time, I was taking synthroid for a thyroid issue. They gave me the generic. I told them that it was giving me a reaction. They told me I was imagining it. I did not take it again, and stopped it completely after I got out of the hospital. Another doctor who had been a friend asked me if I was sure that I had a thyroid issue. I had the blood tests done, and they came back as normal - but they told me to take the pills again anyway! So, I took one, but my anxiety skyrocketed. I decided that if the blood tests were normal, then I would not take it. I have learned to never trust doctors. And, I will try to never to go another hospital.

On the job front, I was laid off from a company for which I had worked for many years (I am a chemical engineer with MBA). I learned that they "wanted to save the jobs for the guys because they have families to support. I met a young woman recently who was laid off from her engineering job because "they wanted to save the jobs for the guys because they have families to support". I have not worked for over a year, and am in dire financial straits.

updated: 3/21/2005 1:24:00 PM