Letter from Karen, June 4, 2000

 

(For those who do not know already, the name Karen goes by among friends and family is Karen Hoffman.  Her BOP or official prison name is Karen Horning.  It is under the name Karen Horning 00644-049 that letters should be addressed on her behalf)

 

Dr. Terrian, the doctor here (D.O. not M.D.) discussed the care plan recommended by Dr. Allan Steere, a noted Lyme specialist.  In Dr. Terrian’s professional view, the treatment prescribed would not be beneficial to me.  If anything, it would more likely be detrimental. 

 

As it turns out, Dr. Steare is allegedly being brought up on charges.  His “4 weeks of oral antibiotics and you’re cured” regime has caused immense suffering for Lyme patients throughout the country.  Insurance companies were basing denials of coverage for Lyme patients on his treatment plan.  There is no known cure for Lyme, and weeks of oral antibiotics are only the beginning of a long rocky road.

 

On Thurs. May 31, Assoc. Warden Richard Gordon called me into his office to personally inform me the compassionate release I requested had been denied that day.  Too cheery social worker Linda Ford, who is responsible for preparing and assessing all compassionate release requests, had the audacity to tell me “Don’t get emotional” when I became choked up and nearly cried.  All the while she sat there grinning from ear to ear.

 

The medical transfer to FCI Dublin (where I would have been close to San Francisco and a real specialist in Lyme disease) was cancelled the last week of April.  Actually, it was cancelled before then but no one chose to tell me.  Washington D.C. squashed the plan.  They say I am not allowed in California until Tammy Riemer, my snitch, leaves the camp.  This woman’s comfort is of higher priority than my health.

 

As a last resort, I am appealing to the courts for assistance.  Considering the judge clearly stated he would give me more time if he could, prospects aren’t high.  However, there’s nothing left to lose. 

 

In Jan. my senator, Dianne Feinstein, requested permission to investigate my situation.  I granted it.  She never followed through.

 

Letters of recommendation are needed to the court, letters of disgust to the senator.  Letters to BOP Director Hawk-Sawyer are also needed.

 

            Chief Justice Thelton E. Henderson

            Northern District of California

            450 Golden Gate Ave.

            San Francisco, CA 94102.

 

            Senator Dianne Feinstein

            U.S. Senator

            1 Post Street, Ste 2450

            San Francisco, CA 94104

 

            Kathleen Hawk-Sawyer

            Director, Bureau of Prisons

            320 First Street, N.W.

            Washington, D.C. 20534

 

I further encourage you all to write to your own senators.  Mine is not an isolated account.  This is the only medical center in the United States for female federal prisoners.  Undoubtedly, there are women in Carswell from your state, and it is your hard earned money that foots the bill to allow this facility to remain open.