Lux et umbra vicissum…

When we lived out in Bristow, we had an absolutely fabulous pediatrician.  Actually, there were two doctors in the practice by the time we moved, and we liked both of them.  They were excellent doctors, and also excellent organizers.  By that, I mean that they limited their patient base to a number that allowed them to see people when they needed to be seen, and they tried to leave a reasonable number of sick-child slots open each day so they could get people in the same day they called whenever possible.

Out here in Winchester, there’s a definite dearth of pediatricians.  The practices that exist consist of five our six doctors in one practice, which isn’t necessarily a terrible thing, but it does mean you don’t really get to know one doctor very well and they don’t know your individual kids all that well, either.  I’ve also heard stories of some of the doctors in these practices saying really stupid things that I even knew were wrong (experienced mother that I am).  Add to that the fact that all of them are overbooked, none are accepting patients right now, and you have an altogether unsatisfactory situation.

When we moved, I found a family practice out here to handle things for us since there weren’t any pediatricians available.  I should start by saying that the main doctor in the practice is very nice.  He’s very likable, easy to talk to, and all around a good guy.  However, when it comes to the kids, he doesn’t have a clue.  A couple of times when I’ve had the kids in to see him, he’s actually left the room to call his wife (who is a pediatrician – not taking new patients, of course) to ask her what she thought of our case. 😛

The kids have actually been relatively healthy recently (aside from the fungus), but a couple of weeks ago we started catching some of the nasty stuff that’s been going around.  Branwen got croup, the rest of them got a bad cold, then Charis came down with a stomach bug which she kindly gave to Joel & I along with the cold (which, thankfully, hasn’t gotten too terrible).  Anyway, at this point Alexis is ok, Branwen just has that icky cough that hangs on forever after croup, and we’re left with the three youngest fighting off their versions of the cold.  Desta’s mostly takes the form of a very runny nose; Charis’ seems to focus on her sinuses (congestion, but it doesn’t drain as much); Eli’s has moved into his chest.

Yesterday, Eli began audibly wheezing.  I own a stethoscope (I bought it when my first was diagnosed with asthma, I think), so I listened to his lungs and I could hear it pretty clearly deep down inside his chest.  I called our doctor.  Now, in the past, when I’ve had a wheezing child (which has happened many times since at least two of mine have asthma), the doctor usually wants to see them the same day if possible.  Granted, it was afternoon, so I figured we might not get in until today.

Me: Hi.  My baby is wheezing.  What should I do?

Nurse: Well, let’s see, we don’t have any openings until Friday.

Me:

Nurse: Would you like an appointment then?

Me: Um… I think I’ll keep an eye on him and see how he does.

I proceeded to give him some albuterol which seemed to help, and then I watched him to make sure he didn’t seem to go into distress.  At least I’ve been through this before.  Even so, I didn’t sleep well last night because I kept hearing him coughing, and every time he stopped I wondered if he was still breathing. 😛

This morning, he was laying on the changing table and started saying, “Ow! Ow!” and wiggling around like he was uncomfortable.

Me: Eli, does something hurt?

Eli: nod

Me: What hurts?

Eli: Ear. points to right ear

Throughout the changing time and then a time or two after we repeated this exchange with him always pointing to the same ear.  So I called the doctor back, this time right when the office opened at 8 o’clock.

Me: Have you had any cancellations?

Nurse: No.

Me: Eli’s still wheezing and now his ear is hurting, too.

Nurse: Oh, well go ahead and take him to the urgent care.

Me: Thanks.

And yes, I actually did say thanks in a nice tone though I didn’t really want to.  After all, it’s not her fault they’re so overbooked.

I got to thinking, though.  I could take him to the urgent care where we would wait for at least an hour if not more to see a doctor at which point we’d see someone I didn’t know who wasn’t familiar with pediatrics and therefore wouldn’t necessarily do the best thing for my child anyway, or I could call my old pediatrician back in Haymarket and beg them to take me back at which point we’d drive for an hour (instead of waiting that long) and see someone we knew and trusted.  I opted for the second choice.

I love our pediatrician!!  I called and they took pity on me.   I mentioned what was going on, and our conversation was more like this:

Me: Eli’s wheezing and his ear is hurting.

Nurse: Ooo… one of the doctors is on vacation so we’re pretty booked up, but with those symptoms he should really be seen today.  Can you make it in at 4 o’clock?

Me: I love you!

So we’ll be heading to Haymarket this afternoon.  Hopefully we won’t have to make the trip too often, but I don’t see trying to change doctors again any time soon.  If anyone knows of a good pediatrician wanting to open their own practice, though, feel free to send them our way!