Advocate Health Care

My name is Robert Corley. I am 66 years old. I am writing to you to make you aware of the most incompetent doctor I have ever had the misfortune of having treated me.

In October 2018 my life insurance carrier called me to tell me that I couldn't get my insurance renewed because I had a PSA level of 7.6 when they did their exam. They checked my background and found that I had a PSA level of over 5 in July 2015. I did not know anything about PSA or levels, etc. I didn't even know what it was.

I contacted my doctor, Dr. Allison Martin at the Advocate Olympia Fields, IL office and she said to come in and get the test run. When I was there, she said that she had a note on my records from 2015 to refer me to a Urologist, but I was always so "problematic" that it slipped her mind (for over 3 years).

I saw her on a regular basis, every 3 - 6 months because she was treating me for diabetes, and had to check my blood levels. Never did she mention anything to me regarding PSA.

By the time I saw the Urologist in October, my PSA level was at 10. I had a biopsy done and found that I had cancer in 8 out of the 12 samples. Some were at Gleason 7, some at 8 and some at 9.

I saw another Doctor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He recommended a radical prostatectomy. I had the surgery on December 11, 2018. He removed my prostate, nerve and some lymph nodes. I still have PSA levels and am now facing radiation treatment and hormone injections.

Due to this Doctor's negligence, I feel that this doctor has violated me and caused me to lose the life I expected to have at this age. I was diabetic but it was controlled with medication. I was always very athletic, physical and in great shape otherwise. I feel that being uninformed for 3-1/2 years took away many of the options that I could have had. I know that being diagnosed at a level 5 would have given me a better outcome.

Besides the obvious physical difference, there is also the mental anguish I have endured due to her negligence. Her attitude towards me as a person was abominable. She was rude when I was in her office. She would sit and look at her laptop and not at me. She told me my wife wasn't my mother and I should not expect her to take care of me. She didn't talk that way in front of my wife, only when she wasn't in the room.

I also had insurance (both medical and life) at that time that would have helped me financially to handle the costs involved. When this was finally diagnosed in 2018, my wife had lost her job, and along with it the medical insurance we had. Back then we would not have had to incur the thousands of dollars in medical bills that we have piled up.

Her incompetence is not just related to my care. My wife went to her first. She had a different doctor at Advocate and when that doctor left, Dr. Martin became her doctor. When you are healthy and just need regular check-ups, you don't realize the mistake you are making when you stay with someone that incompetent. My wife realized she had a lump on her throat and told Dr. Martin she needed a referral to see an endocrinologist. She sent her to one that she came up with because "she could understand his reports". What does that mean? Then the endocrinologist was so rude insinuating that she was just there to get drugs for weight loss. She had a biopsy done and NO ONE CALLED WITH THE RESULTS. She had to track down the doctor at the hospital to find out the results (they were benign) and the doctor said: "oops, I went on vacation and thought that Dr. Martin would tell you the results."

I could go on and on about the different experiences we had with Dr. Martin. We tried to change doctors, but you can only do it at certain times of the year and my wife's company would change their insurance also. We researched others but couldn't find one nearby. Hindsight is 20/20. Who knew what a mistake it would be!

I don't think Dr. Martin should be practicing medicine. She does more harm than good.

As I said to my attorney, I was never looking to make millions by suing Dr. Martin. But she should be held accountable for her careless and negligent attitude with me and for that matter any patients she encounters.

Because of her lack of care 4 years ago (when my insurance would have covered most of it) I have many medical bills for the biopsy, surgery, medication, besides the radiation treatments that are scheduled. I feel it is only fair that she should be responsible for these expenses. I am still talking to attorneys. I am sure I will be filing a case soon. I know there is a two-year limit that will expire at the end of 2020.

I have moved to a smaller house since July 2019. I have a disabled daughter and her daughter that live with us also. I feel that I have been savagely victimized by this doctor.

I already had a very reputable law firm in Chicago looking into this. I have all the records that they had requested from my doctors. While there isn't ANYONE that does not agree that this is a clear-cut case of negligent malpractice, there isn't enough of a monetary reward for them unless I die to make my case a good investment. They have given me referrals to other firms, and I am looking into them.

I would like someone to investigate this matter and get back with me as soon as possible. I am determined to take this matter as far as I can. I feel this doctor took my masculinity from me in such a careless and destructive manner. I will do whatever I can to make everyone aware of her ineptitude.

Regards,

Robert Corley

[protected]@aol.com

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