Sabrina Wade Surgical error leads to three month paralysis and death

Your Name: Karen Lynn

Patient’s Name/Relationship: Sabrina Wade, daughter

City/State: Plant City, FL

When did event occur (what year)? 2014

Where did event occur? Acute Care General Hospital

What type of medical harm did you experience or witness? Surgical Error

Please describe what happened. Sabrina was being treated for vomiting and pain during a six month period, by her PCP, who diagnosed her as “stressed” from her employment at AVMED, and from the stress following her father’s death. I convinced her to go to Florida Hospital ER with me (she was visiting and exhibiting acute pain). The ER physician diagnosed her with Stage IV pancreatic and liver cancer (three weeks to three months to death). She was hospitalized for observation. I transferred her to Moffit Cancer Center and then to University of Florida Cancer Center (Orlando). There she was paralyzed via a nerve bloc. Her surgeon expressed, “I don’t know what happened”. At that point, she “gave-up” and was transported to her home and hospiced. She remained paralyzed for three months, until her death, Christmas Eve. Her total life span following the ER diagnosis was seven months, three months paralyzed. She asked for “death with dignity” (not allowable via Florida law). A horrible “sentence” to death. After her death, I contacted Morgan & Morgan Attorneys, regarding reporting her surgeon. I was not asking for a financial settlement. The contacted attorney advised me that I did not have a claim because Sabrina was terminal when paralyzed.

What was the outcome of the medical harm issue? Death