I have alot of anger toward Rich's primary care physician. I feel he didn't do enough back in July when Rich first went to him complaining of pain. I have a malpractice attorney reviewing all his medical records. I don't feel vengeful. I just want him held accountable if he was indeed negligent.

This is a rough draft of a letter I'll one day send to him. Rich wouldn't want me to be angry so I'm trying to work through it. I thought if I write down what I think of that doctor and how I feel, I'll feel better. Please excuse the spelling errors. I'll fix it up some before I actually mail it. Oh, and if anyone knows of a good malpractice attorney, feel free to run our story by him/her for their opinion. I have a feeling the one I'm dealing with now doesn't feel strongly about a case.

Dear Dr. Mxxxxx:

I'm writing in regard to my late husband Richard J. Rust. As you know, he passed away on January 13, 2004 at the age of 32. He came to you in July of 2003 complaining of abdominal pain. He gave you a complete oral history of his stage 3 malignant melanoma which was diagnosed in California May 2001. In addition, all of his medical records from California were sent to you documenting his diagnosis, two surgeries and interferon treatments.
You ordered a sonogram and blood work. Rich did as you suggested. Since he never heard from you, he assumed everything was fine. The pain subsided and life continued as usual. Rich trusted that you were a qualified medical professional.
In December of 2003, Rich again came to you with abdominal pain. You diagnosed him with a urinary tract infection and prescribed Cipro. Also, you ordered blood work. Rich took the medicine and had his blood work done. After 10 days the medicine was gone and the pain continued. He called to inform you, but you were on vacation.
The on call doctor finally got back to him after 2 days and had no answers for him. He told Rich you needed more blood work. You wanted to check for hepatitis. When Rich went to pick up the script for the blood, the nurse showed him his chart and it clearly showed that hepatitis A, B and C had already been ruled out. No one could tell him why you wanted more blood, but he complied because he just wanted to feel better. Days went by and still no word from you regarding his condition.
Finally, on Monday, December 22 Rich went to the emergency room. They ran a CT scan and informed us Rich had spots on his liver, spleen and lungs.
The next day you came to Allegheny General to see him. You apologized to me for the 2 or 3 weeks it took you to get back to us, but you were confident it didn't make a difference. You had the nerve to say to me, "if only the tests in July showed something".
Your arrogance and lack of professionalism stole a great man's life. I now have a copy of July's blood work and the sonogram. The blood work clearly shows Rich's billirubin is double the normal level - a clear indication something is wrong with the liver. I have absolutely no medical background and I can see this. Did you look at the results? Knowing his history, why didn't you inform Rich of that condition? Why didn't you run more tests? Why didn't you tell him to see his oncologist? You did nothing except allow him to die.
I have an attorney looking at all the medical records. She informed me the sonogram revealed pancreatitis. Did you look at the results? You ordered no further testing. You didn't even have the courtesy to inform him. Again, you did nothing.
After Rich's death you scrawled a note to me on a piece of scratch paper. You told me we were in your thoughts and prayers. You wrote it was difficult to hear of his passing. You asked me to call you if there is anything I need. And the part which was most insulting was when you told me you have 4 children and you know some part of what I must be going through. You can't even read blood test results. How dare you say to me you know what I'm going through? You put me here!
Can you take my pain away? Can you take away my fear? This is what I need from you. I am tormented with insomnia, anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide. Is this how you feel also? I can't function at work because I can't concentrate or stop crying. I am half the woman I was. I am indecisive and indifferent.
Your incompetence robbed two children of a loving, devoted father. Rich doesn't get to see Madi's new blonde curls or her pink ballet shoes. Rich will never hold or kiss or wipe his son's tears away. I have to go through childbirth without my husband. I can't even think of this day without becoming hysterical. You know nothing of what I'm going through. You broke my family. You destroyed the future we planned together. My heart is damaged beyond repair. I want you held accountable for your negligence.
My husband was not an angry or vindictive man. He would probably forgive you. I am trying to live by his example, but I'll never forgive you.

Sincerely,
Deni L. Rust
Young Widow