First, thanks for clicking in here and offering me a 'listening ear'.
So, today I brought my son for his 3 year (finally) annual checkup. This will be my third doctor since moving to this area nearly 3 years ago. I just can't seem to find a right fit for me and/or my son (usually it's just me and my opinionated self
). I should mention that I prefer a pediatrician as I did find a very nice D.O but he was a Family Practice doctor.
So, while we were there, the doctor walked in and I thought he looked very approachable. He had an earring in his ear, which I thought was very risque for a doc and a good sign that he was laid back. He also comes highly recommended. But when he also brought in a med student in the visit (my permission was not obtained, not that I'd object, but I did not like that I was not given a say in this), it did make me think that my son was now some sort of "case study" and that the doc may easily lose sight of his (my son) "humaness."
The visit went well enough and they are respecting my parental choices regarding vaccines (which is ultimately all I want). However (this is my vent) I felt irritated by the way the doctor started treating me when it came down to the vaccination issue. We basically went through my boy's immunizations to date. It turns out that he is up to date (shock to me, I thought we were behind) except for the MMR (uhh...oops? NOT). I have put a lot of time and energy into how I was going to deal with all the controversy surrounding it. I have come to the point where I am ok with (1) seperating the vaccine into 3 seperate shots and (2) ok with measles and mumps....erm not so much with rubella [due to the aborted fetal cells]. I have to still pray about this and seek the advice of my priest. So, during this portion of the visit, when I explained I wanted it separated, he said "We do offer this option to parents but we may not have any in the office since it is not commonly requested." This is when the interrogation began on his end.
Me; "I would like to focus on measles and mumps for now. Hopefully by that point, my son may have contracted chicken pox, and I won't have to deal with the varicella vax."
Him: "Well, being that varicella vax is about 15 years being administered, the chances of him contracting live chicken pox are slim to none. And you do have to have him vaxed for Kindergarten as recommended by the CDC and AAP, you know that, right?"
Me: "Well, actually, being that I am a teacher we are considering homeschooling him at this point."
Him: "Oh, well, even so, you have to have proof that you have vaxed your son."
Me: "Well, I am aware that the law in this state provides exemptions to parents regarding vaxes."
Him: "Right, a religious one."
Me: "And that brings me to my next point regarding the use of aborted fetal cells in some vaxes."
Him: "That is not true. I am not aware of the use of human cells in the varicella vaccine."
Me: (starting to feel a bit unsure of myself as adults in those white lab coats who are interrogating you with an almost naked lively 3 year old jumping on the exam table and a med student standing there watching all this can cause some inner pressure) Umm....well, I do know that the rubella vaccine is cultured out of aborted fetal cells. I researched it on the CDC's website and there was a statement that they were cultured out of aborted fetal cells in the 60's or 70's"
Him: "I am not aware of that. I'll have to check up on that."
Me: "I wasn't either until I entered discussions about this with others in my religious affiliation and when I learned about this, I wanted to be sure so I researched it on the official CDC website. So, I have not come to terms with the benefits of the vaccine and if it outweighs my religious objection to it."
At that point, he stopped the interrogation. My inner state of peace was disturbed and then I started feeling apologetic. Isn't that weird? I don't get why I would feel bad for my personal convictions?
Anyway, I give up trying to find the right fit for my son. I so wish I could have Dr. Sears for my son's ped!!!! hehe At least this office will separate that vax and allow me to vax on a delayed schedule. I only have to see the office once a year and if my son gets sick, I'll just tolerate it. Ugh.
Oh and he tried to recommend a pediatric dentist to me (whom I've already contacted and disliked because she won't allow me to be in the room with her when she works on my son's teeth). He said to me that this is a good thing. I told him "not for a 3 year old who already has high anxiety levels of being at the dentist's office because of his memories of being wrapped up in a papoose (happened when he was 2).
Argh...I know I tend to be a bit more challenging than most people. I only wish I could stand my ground with medical professionals and not feel apologetic when my opinion differs from theirs.
So, today I brought my son for his 3 year (finally) annual checkup. This will be my third doctor since moving to this area nearly 3 years ago. I just can't seem to find a right fit for me and/or my son (usually it's just me and my opinionated self
). I should mention that I prefer a pediatrician as I did find a very nice D.O but he was a Family Practice doctor.So, while we were there, the doctor walked in and I thought he looked very approachable. He had an earring in his ear, which I thought was very risque for a doc and a good sign that he was laid back. He also comes highly recommended. But when he also brought in a med student in the visit (my permission was not obtained, not that I'd object, but I did not like that I was not given a say in this), it did make me think that my son was now some sort of "case study" and that the doc may easily lose sight of his (my son) "humaness."
The visit went well enough and they are respecting my parental choices regarding vaccines (which is ultimately all I want). However (this is my vent) I felt irritated by the way the doctor started treating me when it came down to the vaccination issue. We basically went through my boy's immunizations to date. It turns out that he is up to date (shock to me, I thought we were behind) except for the MMR (uhh...oops? NOT
). I have put a lot of time and energy into how I was going to deal with all the controversy surrounding it. I have come to the point where I am ok with (1) seperating the vaccine into 3 seperate shots and (2) ok with measles and mumps....erm not so much with rubella [due to the aborted fetal cells]. I have to still pray about this and seek the advice of my priest. So, during this portion of the visit, when I explained I wanted it separated, he said "We do offer this option to parents but we may not have any in the office since it is not commonly requested." This is when the interrogation began on his end.Me; "I would like to focus on measles and mumps for now. Hopefully by that point, my son may have contracted chicken pox, and I won't have to deal with the varicella vax."
Him: "Well, being that varicella vax is about 15 years being administered, the chances of him contracting live chicken pox are slim to none. And you do have to have him vaxed for Kindergarten as recommended by the CDC and AAP, you know that, right?"
Me: "Well, actually, being that I am a teacher we are considering homeschooling him at this point."
Him: "Oh, well, even so, you have to have proof that you have vaxed your son."
Me: "Well, I am aware that the law in this state provides exemptions to parents regarding vaxes."
Him: "Right, a religious one."
Me: "And that brings me to my next point regarding the use of aborted fetal cells in some vaxes."
Him: "That is not true. I am not aware of the use of human cells in the varicella vaccine."
Me: (starting to feel a bit unsure of myself as adults in those white lab coats who are interrogating you with an almost naked lively 3 year old jumping on the exam table and a med student standing there watching all this can cause some inner pressure) Umm....well, I do know that the rubella vaccine is cultured out of aborted fetal cells. I researched it on the CDC's website and there was a statement that they were cultured out of aborted fetal cells in the 60's or 70's"
Him: "I am not aware of that. I'll have to check up on that."
Me: "I wasn't either until I entered discussions about this with others in my religious affiliation and when I learned about this, I wanted to be sure so I researched it on the official CDC website. So, I have not come to terms with the benefits of the vaccine and if it outweighs my religious objection to it."
At that point, he stopped the interrogation. My inner state of peace was disturbed and then I started feeling apologetic
. Isn't that weird? I don't get why I would feel bad for my personal convictions? Anyway, I give up trying to find the right fit for my son. I so wish I could have Dr. Sears for my son's ped!!!! hehe At least this office will separate that vax and allow me to vax on a delayed schedule. I only have to see the office once a year and if my son gets sick, I'll just tolerate it. Ugh.
Oh and he tried to recommend a pediatric dentist to me (whom I've already contacted and disliked because she won't allow me to be in the room with her when she works on my son's teeth). He said to me that this is a good thing. I told him "not for a 3 year old who already has high anxiety levels of being at the dentist's office because of his memories of being wrapped up in a papoose (happened when he was 2).
Argh...I know I tend to be a bit more challenging than most people. I only wish I could stand my ground with medical professionals and not feel apologetic when my opinion differs from theirs.
I actually think you did a great job standing your ground and should be proud of yourself! I hope you can find a good fit soon!
