In the Hands of Her Caregivers: A 21st Century Experience of Healthcare in the USA

Mara was not making any changes with that plan. She said slowly, deliberately, "My 61 year old mother walked into the emergency room with complaints of back pain. She has had a number of setbacks, no fault of hers and you're quick to give up on her." What happens when a daughter is forced to become an 'army of one' in order to protect her mother from the very healthcare system meant to save her life? What happens when visits intended mainly for comfort and support, turn into daily battles with doctors and nurses over major mistakes, and ongoing fights with medical staff over routine treatment? This nightmare became Mara Mitchell's reality. It was a complaint of persistent back pain that sent her mother, Denise, to the emergency room. It was an issue that didn't seem insurmountable. Mara simply assumed Denise would be treated by competent, diligent, skilled, and caring staff, and soon her mother would return home. More importantly, she believed that everyone's goals were the same. Those assumptions were wrong. Mara, a nurse herself, learned firsthand that despite her advocacy, knowledge, and training, ultimately none of it mattered. Her mother's life was still in the hands of her caregivers. This story, based on true events, is for all of us who've had to depend on the healthcare system to care for and protect the ones we love. This book is for you. You are not alone. The healthcare system must change.