My name is Amanda DaSilva and my son Michael Blechar is very sick. Unfortunately, we went to Southcoast Pediatrics where Lawrence Dehner was our doctor. I brought him to multiple emergency appointments in the last couple of years and requested a nephrologist and was told I was worrying because I have a son at home with chronic stage 2 kidney disease and inactive lupus.

On the 1st visit, he lost 80-100 lbs. in less than a year, and he told me it was a growth spurt. Then he had a seizure, and he said it was because of Covid, even though he had no symptoms. He said if it happened again or the tests came back bad, he’d give me the neurologist and nephrologist referrals I was asking for. Then he had another seizure at KFC at work, and he said he’d take office tests but not to worry, he is fine. Sometimes Covid lingers for a long time. Then he vomited what he thought was blood, and the doctor said he must have eaten something red; it’s not blood, he’s a healthy 18-year-old boy, and I’m just being overprotective because of my situation with his brother. If the tests came back wrong, he would give me the referral.

Then he couldn’t eat food he ate all his life, and he was saying tastes change when you get older; he is fine. Dr. Dehner went on medical leave when I noticed bubbles in the toilet after he flushed. So next time, he showed me it looked like Dawn dish soap was poured in the toilet, but unfortunately, it wasn’t soap. I knew right away it was proteins in his urine. Dr. John Leimert was on call and thank God did the testing that was NEVER done in all our visits, but it was too late. Stage 5 chronic kidney, renal failure. PIC lines in and dialysis 3 days a week; a transplant is all that’s left.

He just graduated high school a few months ago and worked full-time for 3 years, taking on his brother’s position when he fell ill. The 1st since my father to graduate and the best person I’ve ever known. There is something wrong with our healthcare system, and no one is helping us. I wanted him in Boston General the same day I got called out of work to go straight to the E.R. They pre-called, and the doctor is beside himself looking at his growth charts. This was preventable, and they don’t know how it happened. The office manager said, “I’ve known you 22 years; I’m not going to BULLSHIT you.” The simple office tests were never done, and the doctor is putting in an investigation. When I asked who was investigating, they told me Southcoast? An internal investigation? DPH should be notified!

Every nurse, every shift change at Luke’s, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, no social worker, no help nowhere. I had to literally threaten the attorney general’s office to get him a private room and let me stay there because he is 19. I want to Thank everyone in advance for kind gestures and prayers. Please God help my son!!! Amen