Doctor stuff

I'm switching doctors for Ralph. Ruby, too.

The part of me that HATES confrontation and the part of me that can't stand to hurt someones feelings is a bit annoyed. It's not that I'm unhappy with their pediatrician. I'm not. I love her! But, we never get to see her.

Ralph needs a physical and history for his sedated hearing test next week. She's completely booked until September! Wha? I'm tired of seeing her PA or one of the other docs in the office. I didn't interview and choose them - I interviewed and chose her.

So, I've been thinking about switching doctors for awhile. I LOVE our family doc and I trust him. We decided to go with a pediatrician for Ralph after he was sprung from the NICU and was quite fragile medically. Now he's more stable. Lord please let it continue to be so! And I need this physical done in the next two weeks!

So, I called this morning to have his records sent over to the new office not really knowing what would be involved. Apparently, I just have to sign a form and everything is sent electronically. So. I called the new doc to make an appointment. Ha! Tomorrow at 9:40.

Oops! Not!

I just got a call. It seems that Ralph's records are extensive (umm...no kidding!). There is massive photocopying involved. It will take a week.

OMG I just got another call...this is killing me! The pediatrician's nurse just called to tell me that Ralph needs a physical for his hearing test next week. NO DUH! She offered to make an appointment. I explained to her that the appointment desk said there were no appointments until September. She offered to get me in to see one of the other docs. *sigh*

"That's really not what I want", I said. I explained to her that I am making arrangements to change doctors. There was an awkward change of tone as we said our goodbyes. Irritation? Too bad. He's my son and I still get to decide who he sees.

Oh, funny. I just got a call! It was the hospital where Ralph is having his hearing test. The lady there knew I was having a hard time getting his physical scheduled. So she made an appointment for a physical for Ralph at the hospital clinic on the afternoon before his test. Uggh! I know she worked hard to get us this appointment, maybe even pulled some strings. What do I do now?

I guess I do this to myself. I started the ball rolling to change docs because I want him seen by someone that I know. Now I'm stuck with gratefully accepting a hard-won appointment with a doc that I don't know. Should I cancel the appointment with Ralph's new doc or what?

My gut.

My gut tells me things on occasion. On occasion I listen.

Ralph has a sedated hearing test scheduled for next Monday at a local hospital. I called a few months ago...they gave me a date and time to be there...no big deal. He has never passed a hearing test, so this is really long overdue.

My gut told me that something was not right. Couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe it was that I had concerns about the sedation drugs that would be used. I was given the phone number to the sedation department at the hospital...no answer.

When I took Ralph to Kansas City for the DS clinic in May I had a bright idea. Why don't I take him to Children's Mercy for the test? The audiologist at the clinic even assumed that I would have the test done there. But, it's not the most convenient place, so I filed the thought away.

Ralph's EI teacher was over this morning and we discussed the hearing test and his speech development. I've always said that one I my wishes for him is clear intelligible speech. I know that won't happen without clear hearing. She encouraged me to look into the possibility of having the test done in Kansas City.

Later this morning I called the audiologist from the clinic. She was so helpful and kind! She explained that his test would need to be done in a procedure room due to his medical history. Reeeeeally? After being transferred to the appointment desk I was educated even more.

I was asked a whole host of questions about his medications and medical history. I was instructed to have a physical exam done and faxed to them in the next couple of weeks. I was also asked to bring him up for pre-op testing sometime in the next couple of weeks. Wow, long drive for that!

Well, the test is scheduled for the end of this month! I talked them into doing the pre-op stuff the day before so I don't have to make two trips. This feels so right. I'm so relieved.

Why didn't my local hospital ask me anything about Ralph when I called to make an appointment here? No questions about medical history, allergies, medications, nothing. Do they care that he is sensitive to a certain common sedative and that one time it made his heart stop? Uggh!!!

My heart can barely take this sometimes. It's not like we live in a dinky, remote little town. We have several large hospitals here. Why do I feel lucky to get in and out of these places alive and well? Sorry, I have a very bad attitude when it comes to medical stuff. It is just a good thing that I still have the freedom to ask questions and shop around for the best care for my son. Can I get an amen?

I'm glad that I listened to my gut today.

Eye doc - great news!

Ralph went to Dr. Lamp today for his first dilated eye exam. I can't say enough nice things about Dr. Lamp, he is just great. It turns out that Ralph's eyes are developing normally. He has nice big optic nerves and is just slightly far-sighted, which is normal at 14 months of age. He doesn't need glasses and doesn't need to have another exam until he is 3 years old!

Here is a picture of Richy helping Ralphie learn to walk.

Ralph had a fever on Saturday, so we had cake and ice cream for Wesley on Sunday instead. I used to ask the children what kind of cake they wanted for their birthday. Then I would find a way to make whatever they asked for. I've made airplanes, baseballs, school buses, turtles, and R2D2 to name a few. Well, over the past few years I've ashamedly bought grocery store cakes!

This year I decided to see if I'm still creative enough to make a fun cake. Though Wesley didn't ask for it, I made him a pirate cake. I know it is kind of a kiddy cake for a nearly grown man, but it was fun to make.