My wife is missing in action

Or it seems that way. I only found out she had cancer a few days before she disappeared with a ride from a neighbor. She was taken to a rehab facility which is close to the hospital in Colorado Springs. That's a good place for her since its close to the clinic where she can get her radiation

therapy etc. The problem is that her daughter made Pat sign a power of attorney form which she may not have fully understood. This form cut off communications between my wife of 37 years and I. If I call the rehab center they say they have no one there called Patricia R. There must be a way to put a small hole in that POA so I can at least have an occasional chat with her on the phone. This has been very traumatic for me since I already had some anxiety problems before all this happened. Now I'm playing the old Rolling Stones song, Paint It Black. What to do ? Any ideas ? Thanks   

Hi, sorry to hear of your family difficulties.    Money and a lawyer put 1st is speak to some sort of free service .  Good Luck.

A POA would not 'cut off communications' it's just about managing a persons affairs.

POA's are usually only issued by a court, not just by signing a form.

It's much more likely that the form was/is some kind of permissions form to act in the patients (best?) interests regarding their treatment only while they are in the facility.
Such forms are standard, so that someone can authorise treatments, any operations needed, etc. if the paitient cannot do it themselves.

Although it remains the case that if the staff at the facility have been told by someone with such a permission that it is the patients wish that you are not allowed contact, then they would have to respect that as being the patients wish.

It is not that unusual for some patients (especially if their condition may be terminal) to believe that it's 'for the best' to cut off communications with loved ones - in the belief that it will somehow 'save their loved ones from further suffering'.

(My own father tried to discourage us as children from visiting our terminal mother in hospital. He would not take us and we had to make our own ways there at times when we knew he wouldn't be there, a big journey for kids in more ways than one. He had good intentions, but misguided ones.).

You have to remember that your wifes head will also be in a fast spin at the moment, probably much more than yours is.

It's a shame that it has to come to it in such situations, but as said it's probably lawyer time.
A simple lawyers letter to the facility's legal department may clarify things and clear any block.

My sympathies and hopes that you can get things sorted out quickly.

Edited by Nukecad, 13 November 2023 - 06:54 AM.

Thank you Nukecad

Edited by Rayoptics, 13 November 2023 - 12:13 PM.