Health System Hazards

Hi All, I am Doug Joseph, 71, Walpole High “65”, Colby College “69”, and UMASS MA Economics,”72”, trying to raise funds to help pay medical bills and fund stem cell therapy, no longer controversial, after 3 years of very serious medical issues with limited ability to work and severe degradation in health.

In 2015 I was in excellent health, an AMC hike leader, avid flyfisherman, barbershop singer, BHS, and worked for LL Bean part time for 7 years and still work when I can at Coldwell Banker-Westwood. In the Fall of 2015 the dental hygienist pushed bacteria into my blood stream causing endocarditis, a stroke and eventual heart surgery in 2017 to replace the seriously damaged mitral valve. Apparently, the trauma of the surgery and stroke lead to severe seizures where I was in a coma for 10 days and could have died.

Since then I have been in 7 medical facilities, 8 ambulances and in 2017 alone the medical bills were $270,000. I am being treated for severe vestibular [middle ear] dysfunction and depression. I have only found relief in Eastern medical treatments, physical therapy, acupuncture, meditation, yoga and taking herbs not drugs.

I am beginning stem cell therapy this month as a “last attempt” at restoring my systems, stem cell therapy costs $1000’s and is not covered by insurance.