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@loribmt

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.

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Replies to "There will always be a doctor or two who feel their toes are being stepped on..."

"Helicopter husband" would be me. I'm glad you had a supportive husband. Thanks for reaffirming that I am not overboard for asking for additional workup.

In pediatrics it seems there is somewhat of a tendency to dismiss kids, and while I didn't understand at first I've learned to deal with the "95%" idea. If only 5% of symptoms ever warrant more than time to resolve (maybe with a boost from antibiotics) then most of the time doctors can be correct dismissing everything! The whole "horses, not zebras" thing.

We had been lucky enough to score a next-day appointment (due to a cancellation) with a very well regarded pediatric pulmonologist who ordered labs and set all the wheels in motion going forward. And "lucky enough" that my daughter was so outwardly symptomatic that the doctor was able to see the severity. If it wasn't for that visit, I don't know if we would have been "elevated" to the "yes, this kid needs help" status.

What makes my blood figuratively boil is we tend to see only doctors within our local hospital network, because the network is very modern, well regarded, and has the latest and best records system. Any provider can simply click two buttons and see all tests, vitals, diagnoses, and more visually trended. Yet, until we entered the realm of specialists (also in network, but in a new and very well funded specialty center), every provider, while being kind and sympathetic, acted as if each occurrence was singular and in a vacuum. We literally had to bring paper printouts to show providers that we were not drug-seeking Munchausen parents! My point is not "poor us", but rather unless you have the time, resources, will, and sheer stubbornness it stands to reason that many health issues are diagnosed in teen and early adult years because only then is the patient taken seriously enough. Anyway, rant over.

Thank you so much for help and support - you are wonderful!