…I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug…
…I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
Excerpts from Hippocratic Oath—Modern Version
I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love in response to yesterday’s post about our latest challenge. I have gone back to read and re-read your comments many times today as I wait for the phone to ring with word of an appointment with the diagnostic team.
Mea culpa for unwittingly leading you astray on one point —Dr. Mary is one of the “good guys.” Nik’s former pediatrician, whom we loved dearly (but who did not tell us about the diagnostic referral group), retired over the summer. Dr. Mary took over her practice in July and saw Nik for the first time then. Fast forward to September and Dr. Mary has become a loved and respected member of Nik’s medical team.
Dr. Mary is one of very few doctors on our team —which includes no fewer than six doctors —who has taken the time to listen to our concerns and questions and honor them. She is genuinely interested in our theories, believing that we truly do know Nik best and understand his communication like no one else does. She has shown us time and again over these past couple of months that she trusts our judgment about our own child and doesn’t think we are imagining phantom illnesses and symptoms.
She supported us in our fight to take Nik out of school, and has acknowledged to us that some of the specialists at the hospital are difficult to work with. She thinks that we are seeing the most brilliant neurologist in the entire state, but agrees with us that the brilliance is useless if we cannot access it when we need it because the doctor is so in demand. She truly understands the importance of the doctor-patient/doctor-parent relationship.
Another point in Dr. Mary’s favor —and it is no mean thing— she ADORES Nik. It is mutual. Only for Dr. Mary will Nik lift his shirt in anticipation of the stethoscope. Only for her will he sit placidly and turn his head, reaching to assist with the otoscope. For no one else will my son even think about opening his mouth to allow the quickest peek at his throat. I don’t know if it’s the fact that she is a mother of three small children or if it’s just because she is a genuinely good and caring soul, but Nik trusts her as much as he trusts his Daddy and me. Niksdad and I respect Nik’s instincts tremendously.
Upon my oath, she is a gem without compare.
It’s amazing how kids can tell the difference between someone who likes them and someone who is indifferent or hostile, isn’t it.
I’m glad you’ve got a good primary care doctor who actually listens. In my own experience, it makes world of difference.
I hope things turn out well for Nik, and like Vab I think he can tell Dr. Mary is a good person too!
What Nik says, goes. Simple as that. He’s more than earned the right to have the deciding vote.
xx
k
Isn’t it amazing to find someone who cares? Good luck…
Woo Hoo for GREAT pediatricians! It took us 8 yrs, two counties and several practices before finally finding one that we adore, a rare and wonderful gem to behold for sure. Here’s hoping you will get some great docs to work with soon and they will get to the bottom of all this fast.
We will be at that particular hospital on Nov 12th and Nov 28th, so if you end up with an appointment either of those days maybe we’ll bump into each other.
Thanks everyone!
@ VAB, you are so right. The sense I trust from Nik toward the doc is what gave me the courage to push hard for something different; I trusted she would listen. Whew!
@Patrick – thanks for visiting. Drop by anytime!
@ Kristen – let’s not encourage TOO much of the dictatorial instincts in my little guy! LOL But, yes, he certainly has earned the right to have final say here!
@ M2R, I’ll check my calendar…I’m sure we;re up there at least once this month! Are you going to ENT? Email me offline: niksmother at gmail dot com
You are so lucky to have found a great pediatrician. Doctors like her are not easy to find.
I am beyond frustrated that Bloglines didn’t let me know that you had posted three times before this one. I’m so frustrated that I haven’t known about any of this!
I am lifting up your family in prayer and truly hope upon hope that this team of doctors is finally going to get to the bottom of Nik’s pain.
Thank God for the Doctor Marys of the world. I’m glad you’ve found her.
Thanks for setting the record straight about Dr Mary. I hereby eat my words. Yes, thank God for the Dr Marys of the world, indeed. Hope the phone rings soon with news of a speedy appointment and that most of all, the doctors can help him.
I’m glad to hear that Dr. Mary is part of the team! Hopefully she can pull some strings and get you guys a quick appointment!
It is truly amazing how our kids pick up on who to “trust”.
Dr. Mary sounds like a gem.
[…] saw Nik’s beloved Doctor Mary this afternoon. It’s true, she is beloved; she is the only doctor Nik will ever fully —and […]