storywriter...

I called the pediatrician's office on Tuesday regarding Adam's reflux, they never called me back. I called again Wednesday, no call back. I called yesterday morning and said, "Well since I've tried to call dr the last two days leaving messages for Dr. Valencia with no response... I GUESS I just need a sick baby appointment and get seen ASAP. I don't know who is dropping the ball with the message to the doctor, so I'll just bring him in." The receptionist seemed nervous about my 'tude, even though I was trying to be polite to her. Great, get an appointment for 8:45 this morning, but it will be with another doctor. Fine -- I just want to talk to someone!  

This morning I recognize the dr as the person we saw last time, who recommended AJ try Enfamil AR. I give her my run down of everything... he has improved, not great... blah blah - you all have heard it already. and she asks typical "tried this tried that"  

Dr.: Hm. Well, AR is helping? 

Me: Some, not great (run down his symptoms, again.) 

Dr. I hate to prescribe medicines... only as a very last resort. 

(me-- thinking... what the hell did you become a doctor for then?) 

Me: *stare at her* Okay...? 

Dr.: Well there is Nutramigen. But it is hard to get WIC to cover Nutramigen. See, they cover Enfamil AR no problem. 

Me: *stare, waiting to figure out what she says.. long pause...* Well, my older son was on Nutramigen for colic and it really helped. I'm not even on WIC right now, I have an appointment on the 23rd to try and get signed up. 

Dr.: I don't like to switch him around a lot. If the Enfmail AR is working... 

Me: No, it helps with his spit up and some symptoms, but he still is obviously uncomfortable,even at night when he wakes for a bottle, he takes a bottle, then cries for hours on end. 

Here's the kicker...  

Dr.: Well, babies are hard... 

Me... staring at her, about to punch her lights out... 

Dr: Sometimes we just have to suck it up. Let's keep him on Enfamil AR until your WIC appointment on the 23rd. If he's not better then we can try Nutramigen.  

I'm too dumbfounded to respond!!! I'm borderline between punching her lights out and breaking down in tears. There was some small convo after this, me basically reiterating his symptoms... and nothing came of it. When she laid him on the table he acted fine, he even smiled for her... figures. that's why I told her yes he has improved with laying down, but he still can't do it all the time. Well I pick him back up and he just starts crying! She says, "Oh he must like to be left alone?" I said, "No! Quite the opposite!" (I just told you that dummy...) I continue, "In fact when he wakes up at 2AM I can't put him down because he's crying. When I try he just screams more... and that keeps up until 5AM." She just kinda nods, and walks out. That's the end of the appointment.  

-- ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?! Did you SERIOUSLY just tell me that babies are hard and I need to SUCK IT UP?!?! My child is in PAIN, it is OBVIOUS when he SCREEEEAMS and throws his head back and arches his back so bad that something is not right!! And you tell me to just suck it up??? Don't tell me to suck it up and babies are hard... I know that. She wasn't there when Elijah was sick with whooping cough and up every 30 minutes coughing till he is blue in the face. I know that comes with the territory of parenting. Don't tell me to "Suck it up" when my Adam is up at 2AM screaming in pain until 5AM when there is something you can do about it!! HER telling ME to suck it up is essentially saying ADAM needs to "suck it up"... something isn't right and you tell me to just suck it up. I'm so furious. It's time for a new pediatrician. If I could guarantee to see the REAL doctor -- Dr. Valencia -- every time I'd be fine. But when they keep giving me her biotch fill in doctor who doesn't give a crap about my child and tells me "babies are hard, I need to suck it up"... it's time for a new doctor! Oh, and so this morning after the appointment, I go to Target with DH and the boys... I started giving that to AJ... and he's already spitting up again on the Nutramigen. greaaat....