For over a week now, Ella has been very sick. It started with constant vomiting (she didn't understand throwing up in a bowl so we were spending our time trying to catch vomit). After 3 days she stopped throwing up and developed a horrible cough. She spent every second coughing without a break and literally didn't sleep at all at night because of it. It was at this point that I decided to take her to the doctor.
Now let me tell you, I hate trying to decide whether or not to take my kids to the doctor. I go back and forth about if they need to go or if it is going to be a big waste of time. My final decision was to call and talk to a nurse and see if they wanted to see her.
When I called the office I told the receptionist that I wanted to take to a nurse. She asked for Ella's name and pulled up her chart and then asked what was going on. After I told her she had been throwing up the receptionist said "Oh, you don't need to talk to a nurse. They will want to see her for sure so they can test for strep."
So, into the doctor's office we go for what I think is going to be a strep test. That is not what happened. I ended up spending the whole time holding Ella (who was too weak to walk) while the nurses and doctor each took their turn at giving me a lecture about not giving her the flu shot. They even had someone come in who said they were doing a study with the university on kids who didn't get the flu shot and got the flu. They wanted to take Ella's blood and a swab of her mouth. I said "Are you kidding me? Do you see how sick my daughter is? I am not going to submit her to unnecessary tests right now!!!"
And as I am sitting there holding my daughter who can't stop coughing and has lost 8 pounds (she weighs 25 pounds right now and literally looks like she is starving to death) the doctor made his diagnosis. He listened to her lungs, looked in her ears and said "She has the flu. And your whole family didn't get the flu shot so now everyone in the family will get the flu. You will spend the next two weeks with a sick family and when you baby gets the flu he will have to go to the hospital. After he has had a fever for 24 hours you will need to bring him into my office and I will have to have him sent to the hospital where he will be for 5 days. I just saw a baby his age with the flu this week and that is what happened." So, I say "I have kept the kids away from each other and have tried very hard to keep disinfecting everything and I always wash my hands before I pick him up." And then he says, "It doesn't matter. Now that Ella is coughing so much the germs will be flying all over your house and he is going to get it!" At this point he walked out of the room, shut the door and said to the nurses "She decided not to give her kids the flu shot so what am I supposed to do?"
So, I left the doctor's office crying. But here's to you Doctor.....YOU WERE WRONG!!!
I am happy to report that Will did NOT get the flu. He has a nasty cold but no vomiting. I am also happy to report that I did NOT get the flu and Chris did NOT get the flu. So, next time don't tell this mom there is nothing I can do!!!!
9 comments:
I'd be shoping around for a new doctor ASAP!! That is insane!!
I agree. New doctor. Some pediatricians are there because they love kids and others are there because that was the only field they could get into. He sounds like the latter. He should not have treated you that way.
kira!! she's lost EIGHT pounds?! she didn't have that to lose, poor thing!!! oh my goodness!! i am freaking out over here.
we didn't get maddy (or hudson) the flu shot, and hudson's doctor keeps giving me crap for it, though nothing like what you experienced. i've never had the flu shot, and i don't know if mike has. i was so scared when i took hudson to the doctor this week, they were going to tell me he had the flu (no vomiting, but you know), and i swear, my nightmare was what happened to you.
dang kira!! check with your friends up there and get a new pediatrician! and then be sure and review him every place you can (online) so when people are looking, they know that he is quite obviously pro-flu shot, and will make you feel like a horrible parent i
f you don't do it.
HUGS hugs, lady!!!
(and now send chris & will up there to beat him up.)
What a jerk! That doctor needs more than a nap. I'm so sorry about you having to go through all that. I have had some similar experiences- no good!
What a horrible doctor for saying that to you. Are doctors now psychic? Apparently not. Definitely find a new doctor. My boys went to Myriam Bauer at Elmwood Pediatrics. She was awesome! :)
seriously? I don't get a flu shot because with my immune system it makes me too sick. funny thing is, i rarely ever get the flu. flu shots are overrated. i am happy you, chris & will didnt get the flu :)
I have a response, but it's not really appropriate. So instead of saying what I am really thinking, I'll just say... jerk (just know that in my head it is so much worse).
Totally with Sarah and Traci
I hope you found a new doctor!! The nerve of them to tell you that! and to talk 'behind' your back when you could hear - AH!! Just FYI, I didn't have any of my kids get a flu shot! :)
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