Dog Community

Meri's u/s update

Posted : 12/5/2007 12:36:21 PM

I just want to thank you all for your prayers and positive thoughts. I really appreciate them so much! Here's how our appt went today:

So we get to the hospital. I'm dreading this appt not only because of the reason for it, but also because she hates being on her tummy and I know she'll scream and cry the whole time. So they take us back there, we undress her and the tech takes a look trying to find a dimple. She turns to us and says, "So did the doctor show you what she saw?" I said "not really." She said, "did she point out a dimple or something." I said, "No, she just looked over her back and then started writing up the referrel and telling us she wanted her spine checked to make sure it had closed." Well, maybe she saw this little birthmark and was just being cautious. All the while meri is screaming her poor little head off. The tech was so kind and helpful. She explained it all to us while she was doing it and trying to cheer poor meri up in the meantime. She said that because of her age they can only really see about 50% of what they'd need to because her bones are hardening making it difficult to see. But from what she saw that everything looked completely normal. The radiologist would take a look at it and they may suggest and mri, but may not depending on how they feel about the fact that they cannot see everything. But hopefully they see enough that she won't need the mri, since that would mean she'd need to be sedated.

We also asked her that with this problem wouldn't they typically show a weakness in thier limbs? And she said that yes, but that it would be hard to tell in an infant how really strong they were or not, that it could be a very slight thing that you might not notice. In some ways that makes me feel better since she is amazingly strong in her legs(she's supported most of her weight since a few weeks old). She can stand up if you hold her hands. So we wait to hear back from my doctor.

After this appt I'm really considering finding another pediatrician. She really does seem to be an alarmist. And while being extra proactive is a good thing I think there is an extreme that does more harm than good. I have so much to worry about as a mom, do we really need a doctor who is looking for too hard for something wrong. It seems everytime we go in there its something new she needs a test for. And while its easy enough to say, just let it roll off your back, well with my own stress-triggered health problems, I don't think its a good thing for both of us. If she's worrying me everytime I go in there my stomach is going to be a mess, which if it gets bad enough could land me in the hospital and definitely would be the end of breastfeeding. Thanks you guys for all your p&pt's. I will let you know what the radiolgist says!

cakana

Posted : 12/5/2007 12:46:08 PM

I'm so glad to hear that it most likely is nothing more than the Dr. being overly cautious. Poor Meri :( and poor you for getting stressed over this. I think the most important thing is to feel comfortable with your Dr./pediatrician, and if this Dr. is making you feel more concerned than necessary, I think I'd either talk to her about it or find someone you're more comfortable with. I'm so glad it's over for all of you and I'm sure you're both ready for a nap Smile

ottoluv

Posted : 12/5/2007 12:49:21 PM

Let us know about the results we are all worried! Did the tech say anything to you? usually they are pretty good at reading the ultrasounds too. It's all about finding someone you trust who has a personality that meshes with you. If you need to move on to another doc, then move on.

rwbeagles

Posted : 12/5/2007 12:50:50 PM

First off I am glad things went well, very glad.

As to the doc...I dunno. Our ped tends to be a "just in case" type..ordering bloodwork or taking urine when something might be up. Now normally this might bother me a bit...but the one time we brought Elias in for flu or bug or something....he had been vomiting and had diarreah. She COULD have sent us home with the usual fluids, rest, etc. But she didn't...she took one look and admitted him and he literally crashed in the time it to to get to that hospital....just a shadow of himself...hollow eyed and limp. It took several BIG IV bags of fluid before he was anywhere near himself.

It's a personal thing...personally I like that our doc will do this that and the other just to rule out things. I have found her before to be very proactive and I like that...because I tend to be reactive so we balance out well. BUT if you tend to be a real worrier...as we all are with our first...then perhaps it's not a good match.

You MUST love your ped. they wil be your child's doc for 18 years. If you are not comfy then look around, or get recommendations from others. But always consider....the opposite issue...I think I'd rather be upset then relieved it was nothing...than the other side. Balance...

marty_ga

Posted : 12/5/2007 12:52:41 PM

I'm glad to hear this news! Maybe they will hold off the MRI and do another US when she is a bit older. I don't know if that would help your stress level, though.

DumDog

Posted : 12/5/2007 1:08:03 PM

overly cautious is one thing... but raising your heart rate and stress level over a SUPPOSED problem would chap my butt. my pediatrician is real cool. he's mellow, calm, relaxed, all of those things, even when something is important he has a way of talking to you, and INFORMING you without freaking you out. he was also my doctor when i was little, and apparently he hasnt changed his methods much over the years because its hard to get him lol he's always got a full waiting room.... everyone brings their newborns to him for their first check up... he's just great!

your doc should save the hyped up tones for like..i dunno.. internal bleeding, stopped breathing, emergency stuff that requires immediate action because it IS a threat right now.. you know?

even then.... the doc shouldnt stress others over it. you CAN be calm in the face of danger...thats what gives others the strength to cope. if you lose your head then so will others.. dont they teach that stuff in medical school?

ANYWAY!! i'm glad your little girl is doing ok now. i hope all turns out to be well and this can just be a false alarm moment.

she sure is a cute little bug! she reminds me of Shane when he was that age Big Smile

huskymom

Posted : 12/5/2007 1:09:44 PM

I'm glad it looks good. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers until such time as everything is resolved.

I agree with Gina, you need to love your Pediatrition. If you don't then move on.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/5/2007 1:36:02 PM

It's a shame that became such an ordeal -- and to add my 2 cents -- they don't seem to think about the fact that every time she goes TO the doctors she's exposed to Heaven knows what AND it is extreme worry and hassle for you.

Unfortunately, healthcare as it is encourages that -- if you have decent insurance and it PAYS for all that -- then the doctors seem to be *expected* by their offices to bill all they possibly can -- not only is it incredibly good income, but it's also "coverage" that IF somethingh happens in this litigous society of ours they feel 'covered' that they did all they could do.

Admittedly,that's a huge balance to try and strike, but somehow if the tech doing the test had to question 'why' or 'where' then ... it makes me go 'hmmm'

That's not to say this is a 'bad' doctor - not at all. I think it's such a shame that doctors can't just be DOCTORS and try to help their patients without having to worry about time spent, have they ordered enough tests to be satisfactory to their office and such stuff because the pressure is 'on' to pay for the unreal cost of malpractice.

MissMandy

Posted : 12/5/2007 1:44:56 PM

I'm so glad to hear that everything appears to be normal. I hope it stays that way!!

agilebasenji

Posted : 12/5/2007 2:10:09 PM

Whew! thanks for the update

DumDog

Posted : 12/5/2007 2:23:42 PM

Callie i couldnt agree more. what ever happened to the Hippocratic Oath? the doctor's promise to never harm a patient? a crappy bedside manner is just as harmful as jabbing too hard with a needle..

i've been treated roughly by doctors.. when i had chronic UTIs (with and without insurance) the ER staff would seem to make you wait on purpose if you didnt have coverage... i kid you not. i was waiting for seven hours just for them to analyze the urine sample and write the script... then they charged me $500 for it..

rwbeagles

Posted : 12/5/2007 2:53:49 PM

Momma did ask for input on the doc, however I think we should try to avoid making this into a rant about doc's in general. Just my personal thought...much more fun to talk about Meri anyhow..she's too cute!

mrstjohnson

Posted : 12/5/2007 3:19:10 PM

I am so glad it sounds like everything is going to be ok! Keep up updated.

Regarding the doc, I agree with the above. If you are uncomfortable with her than switch.

I love Riley's ped. He has 7 kids and is very realistic about everything and doesn't preach or doesn't tell me to do it by the book or I am wrong. His motto is, you are the mom and you know your baby best.

When I was having a hard time keeping up with Riley in terms of pumping, he gave me suggestions that are definitely not in the medical books, but they made sense and they worked...they also coincided with what my mom said but I didn't believe her Confused .

Go with your heart. You don't want someone that isn't going to pay attention to Meri but you also don't want someone that is going to make you feel hesitant to go to the doctor's office. You need a sounding board, not someone that is going to send you into a panic attack...you will be less likely to go.

ottoluv

Posted : 12/5/2007 3:24:32 PM

DumDog
Callie i couldnt agree more. what ever happened to the Hippocratic Oath? the doctor's promise to never harm a patient? a crappy bedside manner is just as harmful as jabbing too hard with a needle..
i've been treated roughly by doctors.. when i had chronic UTIs (with and without insurance) the ER staff would seem to make you wait on purpose if you didnt have coverage... i kid you not. i was waiting for seven hours just for them to analyze the urine sample and write the script... then they charged me $500 for it..

??????? um ok sure

ron2

Posted : 12/5/2007 3:28:06 PM

Yeehaw!

I've been following your threads and I am really glad to read your update. When you mentioned in the other thread how she turned herself over, I, as a layperson, thought that was a good sign.

And I'm sure you'll have good luck getting the ped care you seek.