Just Living

I am having a few concerns about our current pediatrician's office. Nothing MAJOR, but, there have been a couple things that I am not happy about. They are not all in direct relation to the pedi- herself, but...anyway...

...after seeing how amazing the nurses at the hospital were yesterday I just KNOW there has got to be a better practice where I can bring the kids. I mean, we go to the doctor's office often enough that it really shouldn't be so unpleasant. I get that a lot of the unpleasantness is because of G's anxiety, but I have to just allow myself to admit--I was trying to be nice, understanding, docile--that the nurses (except one) at our pedi's office are just not nice, warm, inviting, helpful....they just aren't pleasant. And they don't try AT ALL with Georgia. We go in, they go out. As few words as possible. No smiles for Georgia. No "It's okay, sweeties."

Am I asking too much??? I mean, this is their JOB, right? To be good to kids? Why the hell would you go into pediatric nursing if you didn't like children?

That's not the point really. I guess I have no point. Except, I guess, to say that Georgia walked into that hospital TERRIFIED. The first hour we were there was AWFUL. It could have been worse, I could have been there alone, without Alex, and WITH Rainer or something (like most our pedi visits), but she was pretty darned scared.

Thankfully we got to be alone in a waiting room for awhile. With a tv. And on the tv was Sesame. That helped. But the nurse who came in to do her triage was just so patient and kind and she spent the time to "watch" Sesame, use the pressure cuff etc on me and Alex before using it on her, bring in a life specialist with a doll so Georgia could put the oxygen mask on her. Oh. All sorts of stuff.

By the time there was room for us in the main waiting area (with the toys and the other kids awaiting surgery in their hospital johnnies) Georgia was calm. Heck, she was enjoying herself. So many cool toys!

 
Even when it came time for Alex to walk her back to the OR and while they were putting the mask on her to administer the sleepy-time tea, Alex assures me that while Georgia was a tad tense, she didn't scream or cry. 'tis a Christmas miracle! 

Post surgery:

 

It took G a while to wake up from the anesthetic. After awhile we were sort of jostling her about, sitting her upright, trying to wake her up so we could go home--they would not discharge us until they saw that she was going to be ok. The pip ate TWO grape popsicles in her sleep! Finally the darndest thing woke her up--turning OUT the lights!

Today is day three post-surgery. G is feeling a little more pain in the past 24 hours (as evidenced by her mood) and she is extra sleepy (she took a morning AND an afternoon nap today which she NEVER does), but she is doing really well.

She's added a bunch of signs since I last listed them all, in the two days alone she has added "duck" and "ice cream". She is really quite proud of herself. She's also been telling us when she is tired by signing "sleep".

It's funny, I guess I was hoping for this miraculous change after surgery in her speech. We aren't going to have that, but I guess I am feeling more patient these days. Partly because she is signing more and because I can see this evidence--clear evidence--in her understanding lately, and partly because now that surgery is done I can stop waiting on a prayer.

Time to just live. Which is what we are doing. All of us, finally.

 

Comments

[Lisa b]

That photo of G all wired up breaks my heart. So glad it is all over and she is recovering!
I am having a similar problem with our pediatric practice and, unfortunately, our hospital too.
you are right, the nurses really should take the time to make the kids feel more comfortable. it is their job.

[Brandie]

The nurses at the hospital sound awesome! I hope you can find a ped. practice that is a better fit. We left a ped. dental practice because they had no patience with children. Our family dentist and his staff have been much nicer. Hope Georgia feels better soon.

[Elizabeth]

I agree, they need to be friendly with kids.
G all taped up is breaking my heart, but I am glad to hear she knows the sign for ice cream. We would get along :)

[Lisa]

Ahhhh, Georgia, what a sweet girl. I don't think you're asking too much Tricia. Our pedi's office is pretty great - everyone there is warm and compassionate and friendly and patient - everyone. And we've been going there for 12+ years. So they're out there. You shouldn't have to settle for care providers who don't take the time to try to make your child feel safe and comfortable.

[Jen]

I'm so glad you have gotten that surgery over with! I know you are.

Those nurses sound crummy. I would probably start scouting around for a more pleasant place. The nurses at ours are pretty good, for the most part, except for one kind of crabby one. Our pedi is great...he does all of those things you were describing, like trying out the instruments on Mom first, keeping his distance for a while. The kids do really well with that sort of treatment.

Good luck. With the doctor scenario, and with just living life.

[Mindee@ourfrontdoor]

I'm glad that all went well.

If you like the dr. at your ped's office maybe you could talk with him/her or the office manager? Give them a chance to make things right before you switch?

I love that G ate popsicles in her sleep. If I could figure out how to eat and sleep at the same time I would be a happy, happy woman!

[amanda]

I'm glad her surgery went well!

[cate]

Oh, man, finding a ped was such a trial. And we just kinda lucked into ours. He has one fabulous nurse, a couple of good front-desk people, and this one receptionist who is so horrible I can't imagine why he keeps her.

anyway. is there a grapevine you can work, to find recommendations? or check out regional groups on those parenting sites I quit reading ages ago, like babycenter or ivillage or mothering.com? They might have suggestions. Or can you ask someone at KKI for a rec?

you've probably already thought of that. I'm just thinking out loud. Hang in there.

p.s. Georgia's signing is awesome. Now I wonder if we should be doing more of that...

[molly]

Are the nurses at the office RNs, or medical assistants? I know they are working in peds, so they should actually be able to work well with kids, but the RNs at the hospital would have much more formal training working in pediatrics. Perhaps?
Sounds like there should be a better practice out there for you.

[Michelle Z]

So glad she's doing well! You know, we spent a lot of hospital time in the past couple years - and a lot at our peds. The nurses are great - and many times they'd say, what do you need? We're here to advocate for our patients. And THEY would go back to the dr and say, "Karly has this need, and you're overlooking this..." or whatever.

If the nurses aren't good, I'd suggest looking at other practices. That could make a huge difference for Georgia.

[Melissa]

I'm a big believer that the support staff is the most important part of a doctors office, any office. Especially in peds. And if you are working in peds you should like kids. No, you should LOVE kids. I am horrible when I have to take care of adults, but I have all the time (and sweet words) in the world for those under the voting age.

[Amy]

Glad to hear she is doing ok.. Its gotta be scary for them. Mayson woke up fine but she was pissed! Way to go G!

[Julia]

Grape popsicles in your sleep? That's impressive.