Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Deans (Studies),
I am appealing for Aegrotat standing in the courses PHIL 497 with the support of my Professor Dr. Will Kymlicka. Due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control in the form of a persisting illness my capabilities have been hindered since March 2013. Over the past year I have complied with and undergone many measures in order to rid myself of this illness. I had surgery on June 25th, 2014 and my surgeon informed me that post-operative pain could last about three months. I endured multiple infections from the surgery as well as two months of post-operative pain when I was informed on August 18th, 2014 that I had an unusual diagnosis. A biopsy confirmed that I did not have endometriosis, but in fact endosalpingiosis. This condition is rare and unusual. I was informed by my doctor that further pain episodes were unknown since not much is known about this condition. However, the success of the surgery and the hormone regulation that the IUD provides made my doctor confident that my situation could be managed. In September 2014, I was still suffering from post-operative pain but not from the severe symptoms that I had experienced in the past. During October, with the post operative pain gone my symptoms began to resume and in November my condition worsened at a rapid rate. I was continuously taking Tylenol 3s and Percocets (Oxycodone) to control my pain which was now worse then ever. This resulted in a trip to KGH on November 17th 2014 due to extreme pain that my gynecologist believes resulted from an ovulating cyst bursting. The letter from KGH stated to take 1-2 days off from school; however, it took me the entire week to partially recover. This was followed by a trip to Hotel Dieu on December 11th 2014 with more severe pain symptoms. The doctor prescribed me morphine and I took pain killers for the next week in order to manage my pain. On December 15th 2014 I saw my gynaecologist, Dr. Mary Melchior, in which I began my next course of treatment for my pain. This includes a lupron needle which induces menopause. This treatment also includes hormone supplements, more stomach pills and exercises for me to do daily in order to relieve my symptoms. On December 16th 2014 I began getting a allergic reaction that consisted of hives and itching. This allergic reaction intensified over the next few days and my throat began to tighten. This caused me to go see my family doctor¿¿s practice which included giving me medication in order to stop my throat from closing.
I am not asking for an Aegrotat standing in my course of PHIL 301. This course¿¿s deadline was first and I dedicated all the time I was able to prepare for this essay. Also, I do not think my mark in this course reflects my abilities as a student. I was already prepared to write the essay and my symptoms prevented me from doing so. I was unable to do work for PHIL 497 because the symptoms worsened and I was forced to go home in order to start new treatment which caused further issues. I would have also submitted this letter earlier; however, I am still waiting for certain medical documentation (my doctors are not back in office until January 5th 2015) and I was waiting to hear back from Deborah Knight, the philosophy undergraduate chair.
Next semester I have taken a lighter course load in order for me to better handle my school work. Also, now that my doctor and I know that I have these allergic reactions we can prevent them in the future.

Sincerely,

Laura Latinovich