Dr. Eugene Loftin

I had been Dr. Loftins patient for several years. He treat myself, my husband and my 2 sons from time to time. My father had passed away from colon cancer. I had gone to see Dr. Loftin shortly after my fathers passing, and asked him if he thought I needed a " proctoscope " (really didn't know it was a Colonoscopy" that I needed...and should have had. Dr Loftin assured me he was the Dr. and that I did not need one.

A few months later I returned to his off and again asked about getting checked out since it was something that i had found out that many members on my fathers side had had or is being treated for. Dr. Loftin looked at me, slapped his hand down on his desk and asked me, WHAT IS YOUR OBSESSION WITH GETTING THIS DONE? YOU ARE TO YOUNG". Ok (cuz cancer has an age?) hes the Doctor. he knows best...

about 8 years later I start feeling "icky" "pukey", just not myself.

Long story short. I had colon cancer stage 3, had penetrated my colon wall... had several inches of my large intestines removed, % weeks of radiation 5 times a week 5 weeks of a fanny pack chemo 24/7 them severl months of dragging myself there to the hospital for more chemo YIPPEE. I ended up getting to much chemo. This day, I told her I really do not want this treatment today. I do not feel good about it... BUT shes the doctor she knows best. I get the treatment.

Get back home and I can tell something is NOT right. I drive myself to a hospital that is 3 blocks away. I remember telling the ladies in the er that i have cancer, had a treatment today... and that the last I remember till 9 days later!

Doctors NEED to listen the complaints the patients have. In my heart, had Dr. Lofton did what was asked of him 15~20 years ago...I would be a much happier camper today. The words then would have... " well we removed a polyps, come back in 3 days for the report, but I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about" BUT INSTEAD I Hear being said to my mother " Yes we removed a spot for a biopsy... but I'm 100% sure its cancer, I have seen to many of these."

Thanks for listing. it has been a little over 5 years that i had the colon resection done. I try to live life happy but at times I wonder was that a gas bubble I felt, ouch way did I get that cramp...oh no I have not had a BM for 2 days, YIKES was that a spot of blood I seen in the toilet... shoot I have a pain in my toe... could it be bone cancer. all these thoughts and hundreds more run threw my head ALL DAY LONG all because a doctor didn't listen to his patient. I have been told now that the chances of the cancer returning is very high. since it penetrated the colon wall cells had escaped.

I get blood work done every 6 months to check the cancer markers and trust me for about 2 weeks before the tests are done, I am a total nut case with worry and oh my poor poor husband... he has to hear it all. Life just hasn't been all that fun any more. I'm hopping by me writing this to you and one to Dear Ol' Dr, Loftin it will make me feel better. Thank you for the time.

I had been working at the United States post office, had a great job. could not return after treatment. never know when I will have to make a mad dash to the bath room. I am a nervous wreck, I wont let my husband see my unless i have a shirt on, I have a scar from breast bone to pelvic bone when all it had to be was to give me what I had asked for... knowing my family history! Good Bless any other folks that gets push aside.

For 3 years, I complained to my PCP about excruciating neck/arm pain, weakness,numbness,tingling in my arms,dizzy spells and loss of balance.The symptoms gradually increased, until I collapsed at work. My doctor knew my history of neck surgery(removal of C5/C6, titanium plate) in 1996. He REFUSED to give me a referral for a neck xray or orthopedic surgeon.

He REFUSED to prescribe any pain medication, but did prescribe valium. He gave me antivert for the dizzy spells, which didn't work, so he prescribed an antihistimine, which also did not work. He did refer me to an ENT specialist, who concluded I did not have vertigo. I went to a neuro surgeon, who found undiagnosed white spots on my brain.

I kept begging my PCP to help me cope with the devastating pain and debilitating symptoms I was having. His answer was deal with it. He told me it was menopause, as I was 47 at the time. He never did a blood work-up to verify that diagnosis. I finally changed doctors, and was immediately sent to an orthopedic surgeon, the one who had performed my prior neck surgery. He determined I needed more surgery, as my C7 disc had collapsed, and I had degenerative disc disease and numerous osteophytes.

I underwent a disectomy/fusion/plating procedure on March 21 of this year, during which time they removed my previous plate and replaced it with a plate aprox. 3 inches long with 8 screws. I am recovering nicely, and am finally able to function as a human being. I forgot to mention that all along, my PCP kept asking me why I wasn't seeing my mental health specialist anymore, and often implied that it was all in my head.

So, as you can see, being told your symptoms are depression, etc., can actually be life-threatening if tests are not done to eliminate other physical disorders. I am glad my old PCP is now retired so he can't do this to someone else. He not only endangered my health, he contributed to the severity of my neck condition by delaying my diagnosis/treatment, caused me to suffer needlessly due to lack of proper pain management, and financially, my husband and I are almost ruined due to my inability to work the past year, and the mounting medical bills due to my condition. Please make sure you receive more than one medical opinion if your PCP does not agree to help you find the answer to your symptoms.