the bennymay story: chapter 39

VEMP3

Some of my readers, who just read chapter 38, may be thinking something like, ‘it is so great Ben will soon be able to take this piece of paper from specialist Dr John Smith, go to (1) the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) so they can help out Ben, and (2) to a surgeon, so he can fix Ben.’ Perhaps some are thinking, ‘what a lovely end to this story.’

A couple of weeks later, I am walking between my work building and 2ATHS (the RAAF hospital) at RAAF Williamtown.
The best thing in the world, right now, would be a phone call from Barry Thompson (from ADRAC) telling me he has sent written confirmation of causality.
Second best would be a similar call from John Smith.
As I cross the 2ATHS car park my mobile (cell) phone rings.
It is the civilian specialist, John Smith, calling from Sydney.
I’m hoping he has organised his specialist report, confirming that the vaccinations are the most likely cause of my problems.
The call is short; it is straight to the point.
He sounds short, sharp, terse, uncomfortable, and extremely nervous.
No more boasting about being the key-note speaker.
No more boasting about being the Prime Minister’s ENT.
No more boasting about his adult kid’s success in the USA.
No more boasting about his latest publication.
He tells me he has spoken with his lawyer.
He wants nothing to do with the ‘article’ I wrote.
He wants nothing to do with my situation.
He regrets he is unable to assist me at all.
A few weeks later he follows it up with a letter—though this time he hides all references to his conversation with his lawyer.

…

June’s VEMP test results come back:

31 Jan 2003, left side 36 % the strength of the right side.
24 Feb 2003, left side 88 % the strength of the right side.
24 Jun 2003, left side 69 % the strength of the right side.

I say, ‘See, the results support my claims that sometimes my vestibular system is not too bad, and other times it is very bad. Look, the results show two things: first, the consistency supports my claims that the left side is consistently problematic, as with the tinnitus and audiograms for that sides; second, the fluctuations support my claims that the problem is variable / fluctuating.’

Ron prefers to argue: it’s in the normal range. That means there is no problem. That means, we didn’t cause a problem.

Whereas the doctors say: I think we should do some more tests. Here, take these pills, and then you can come and see us again in a few weeks or months.

© Benjamin May 2010
Go to chapter 40.