#17 Physician Relationships

Today I wrote my own prompt. (What can I say? I'm a rebel.)

Physician relationships
Tom has a lot of doctors. His pediatrician and his ophthalmologists are currently our main players. I think a key part of getting good care is being a good patient and establishing a good relationship with your physicians. That means showing up on time, completing paperwork, bringing paperwork, having questions ready, and really being knowledgeable about your health (or Tom's health, in this case).

Waiting room experts! An iPad helps pass the time.

Tom had his three year well visit this week. We were there for over an hour because Tom has a complicated health history and there is a lot to cover. We discussed his current health and growth, then made plans for any testing or care that needs to be obtained.

Tom had a hearing test in the office that he passed, but because his speech is delayed we are going to set up a full hearing test with an audiologist. Because of Tom's history of oral aversions he has not been to the dentist yet. We are going to arrange to have his teeth cleaned during his next examination under anesthesia. It's not worth the risk of any feeding setbacks and it's the perfect opportunity since he will be sedated for his eye exam anyway. I'm so glad that our children's hospital will help arrange that.

We also discussed trying the drug Periactin to increase Tom's appetite but found that it is not recommended for patients with glaucoma. I am going to talk to Tom's ophthalmologist to see his thoughts. Maybe there is another option.

After the Appointment
I get guidance from Tom's physician but then it's up to me to make things happen. I am the one who has to call and arrange appointments and follow-up on our ideas. Now the phone calling starts....

Ophthalmology Appointment
We meet with Tom's ophthalmologist in a couple weeks. We haven't seen them since the summer and it has been nice to not need them. Tom was able to get his contacts out in the past two months so we can get them re-inserted during this appointment. I was going to try myself but I wanted his doctor to look at the contacts and make sure they are in good enough condition to be re-inserted. I don't want to take a chance!

Genetics never got to meet this walking, talking, school-boy!

The ophthalmology department now has an ocular geneticist that we will meet with for the first time. I am wary of geneticists. Our experience with genetics has not been great but I will try to go into this with an open mind. It's just very hard to have someone look at your child and only see what is "wrong" with them. Of course, the Tom this geneticist will meet is very different from the Tom they saw a year and a half ago.

Sometimes I still can't believe it when I look at the calendar and realize it has been more than a month without a doctor visit. It's amazing to me and just wonderful!