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@lorenzom

Thanks again. I agree with the necessary wait-and-see, though I am hoping there's a bit of a shortcut as she'll start kindergarten in less than 2 months (or at least we'd like her too). Thursday morning we're take her to a specialist eye hospital because her eyes are excruciatingly painful, yet 3 local ophthalmologists all differ and their opinions and treatments.

A blood smear has never been ordered. Of course in my researching this week everything indicates a blood smear is sensible (and cheap and easy), so I'll ask they tack that on to her latest lab order. At the moment, we're redoing labs (and adding a slew of new ones) at the end of July, so it's not an overly long wait (if the eye pain can be lessened at least).

If you don't mind me asking, in your experience is it well received by doctors for a patient to suggest adding a test (the blood smear), they don't particularly care, or it can strain a relationship (doctors are human)? I'm never hesitant to do so during an office visit, though at times I feel a bit "shy" to do so by messaging. I guess I don't want to be steering things too much, but then again I've had to vigorously do so to get us to the point we're at already ... the understandable response for the first year was "kids get sick often", but that changed drastically as soon as I pushed and her first immune tests came back very worrisome. It's like there's an imaginary line I feel I can't cross too often, crossing from the allowable patient's strong advocate into the undesirable 2nd-guessing parent who won't take advice.

And truly, sincerely, and with all my heart thank you for your help! Clearly you know from experience but you also are obviously very intelligent and kind. Your remarks about peripheral vs marrow alone closed the loop for me on some items I might have been misunderstanding previously.

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Replies to "Thanks again. I agree with the necessary wait-and-see, though I am hoping there's a bit of..."

There will always be a doctor or two who feel their toes are being stepped on a bit. I’ve had that happen to me with my PCP and thankfully my husband and I kept pushing because my situation turned out to be dire.
My specialists, on the other hand, welcomed input and we discussed my treatment plans openly and honestly. Questions were never declined and concerns were never dismissed. It’s important that we respect their education and experience. But it’s ok to also ask questions. You can assure your daughter’s doctors that you’re not trying to be helicopter parents but you’re really feeling helpless and don’t want to miss anything.

Here’s an example I can give for how my ‘helicopter’ husband would handle adding tests to blood work. I had a bone marrow transplant that required hundreds of blood tests over the course of my treatment and beyond. In the initial months right after transplant it’s critical to avoid any viral infections. So there were frequent tests for CMV, a virus that could be serious at that point. Sometimes my husband worried that too much time went between tests. (It didn’t but my husband was a worry-wort) So during my daily exams he’d say something like: “Would it hurt to get a new CMV reading added to her blood test, just to make sure nothing’s going on with that?” My doctor would either say, “That’s a not a bad idea so, let’s add that onto her CBC.” or “CMV was still undetectable last week. Let’s give it another week, then add the test.” We didn’t step on toes but it allowed my doctor to make the choice and my husband to hear the answer why it’s not necessary this time. Gave respect to the doctor and validation to my husband. Win/win. (As the patient, I was just along for the ride! LOL).

I think you’ll get the ‘feels’ when you near the line that you don’t want to cross. But, you are also the advocate for your little girl’s health. So if you’re concerned something may be missing from her treatment it is certainly in your prerogative as a parent to bring up a new subject.

I’m still reeling at your earlier comment from doctors about your daughter faking illness and trying to get attention. That would be a doctor who would never see my little girl’s face again! Your daughter clearly has a challenging medical condition. It’s taking its toll not only on her but also on her parents. Doctor’s should never be dismissive and I’m so sorry you’ve had that experience!

It does sound to me as though you have a really good team of doctors that are taking this matter seriously and I think there is mutual respect between parents and physicians. You can be matter of fact and assertive while being respectful. But this is your little girl, so finding answers is paramount.
Gosh, I really hope you can get some relief for her eye condition next! That sounds awful. Please let me know how the appointment goes.