I Thought I Was Going Crazy

The receptionist on the other end of the phone informed me that Evan had an eye appointment with the pediatric eye doctor on Thursday. "He does!!!" I was shocked. I remember taking him to see the adult eye doctor (they work in the same office) in March because it seemed one of his eyes was crossing again (he had previous strabismus surgery when he was little, which the pediatric eye doctor performed). Dr. B said he looked fine, maybe just a slight crossing but nothing to worry about for now. I didn't remember him telling us we needed to see the pediatric eye doctor. I should note that the pediatric eye doctor will ONLY see patients up to age 18 unless referred by another doctor. Why didn't I remember that referral? I must admit some of my life is a blur. That happens when you birth six children in eleven years. But, I thought I had been thinking with clarity that past few years. Was I going crazy? I'm almost always on top of what appointments Evan needs with the umpteen specialists he needs to see. Sometimes it's a full time job. Okay, your right that's a slight exaggeration!! How about part-time job. Okay, part-time temporary job!! Anyway, back to the story. I'm so surprised I don't know what to say. I try to tell her I don't remember making that appointment, and she tries to tell me it's down here in the computer and she is just doing her job reminding people of appointments. So, I just say, "Well let me think about". I don't do spontaneous very well. She called me later in the day to apologize because a mistake had been made. Evan didn't need to come in after all!! PHEW!! I'm not going crazy after all!!

52 Blessing Project - Week Thirty-Two

DOCTORS

This week I'm especially grateful for doctors. It amazes me how much they have to know, and how much education they have obtained. I would like to share with you one very special doctor that I especially appreciate.


Dr. Bravo will always have a special place in my heart. When Evan came home as a newborn after spending 17 days in the hospital, enduring two surgeries, he was a very medically fragile baby. He had been diagnosed with a rare and life threatening kidney disease. Our pediatrician at the time, just didn't seem to have a handle on things. I also didn't like the attitude she had taken with me when I had told her the baby I was carrying would be born with spina bifida and hydrocephalas. She asked if I understand how serious his condition was, and reading between the lines I felt she wanted me terminate the pregnancy.


Anyway, the day I took Evan in and she refused to allow me to stay with him while she took blood, was the day I decided to find another doctor for Evan. I asked a friend who worked as an OB nurse t o recommend a pediatrician. She told me about this young doctor who had saved some babies lives. We made an appointment and I brought in my tiny little four week old newborn baby to see Dr. Bravo. The first thing he told me was, "I want you to know that I admire you for having this baby!". Wow! A doctor who understood that Evan's life was precious to his family!! Dr. Bravo was open and honest and valued my opinion and thoughts as a mother. On that first visit he even told me the name of Evan's kidney disease, which other doctors just dismissed as "possible premature kidneys". When Evan needed a blood draw, which was so difficult lab techs could not do it, Dr. Bravo let me hold Evan while he did took the blood. For a while this was a weekly occurance.



Dr. Bravo has been there through almost twenty one years of medical challenges and miracles. He openly acknowledges the Lord's hand in Evan's life. I have his home phone number and was one of the first parents who had his e-mail address. I try very hard to not abuse that privilege and his privacy. We were honored to have Dr. Bravo speak at Evan's Eagle Court of Honor. Dr. Bravo is a shining example a doctor who cherishes all life!!

Lucky Number Seven

We have taken the same long boring road trip to Stanford Medical Center seven times this year!! First in January to have Evan evaluated for some breathing issues. Since then he has had three sleep studies, been diagnosed with restrictive lung disease, sleep apnea /hypopnea, and shown to have some cardiac arrhythmias. He has seen the pulmonologist, orthopedist, nephrologist and cardiologist.

Yesterday we saw the pulmonologist and today the cardiologist. And guess what!! They thought he was doing great!! Woo HOO!! He wore a heart monitor for a month and had nothing unusual, so we don't even have to see that doctor again. And the pulmonlogist thought he was doing great on the BiPAP machine!! Makes me happy!! I love the good news!!

Stanford Hospital has the most beautiful gardens. This little garden in a court yard was one my favorite to visit when Evan had his long 41 day hospital stay. It is so peaceful and quiet, no peeping machinery. Just a wonderful place to pray and find comfort. Today, we ran into the gardeners and I made sure to tell them I appreciate all the beautiful flowers!!

We had to stop at the fountain out front before we left. Evan was the first one to spot the beautiful rainbow. Must be a good sign!! Although for some reason he could NOT get to the pot of gold and the end!!