An entire day at doctor's offices

This was a day that I wish could have been different.

Jenna had the day off since it was Maria Himmelfahrt (Mary's Ascension to heaven)--funny that Germany has all these religious holidays and only the old people go to church!

Anyhow, I was not looking forward to the day, but add Jenna to it, and I was nearly dreading it.

First, I had an 8:30 am apointment at the Pediatrician to take blood and see if he was healthy enough for surgery on Wedneday (has to be less than one week prior to surgery). He took the blood and Niklas only cried a little but was soothed with gummi bears the doctors gives by the handfulls. While I was there I asked if they had recieved the final report (including the genetic work-up) on Jenna's stay at Homburg Hospital. They hadn't--so I will have to follow up there. The doctor thought Niki's cough and ungs sounded bad and referred us to Radiology for an X-Ray to see if he was healthy enough for surgery. I also showed him Niki's feet (he has a growth above the heel) and referred us to an orthopedist.

We had a 9:15 apointment with the ENT to go over the risks of surgery as well as checking his ears and tonsils. He said the tonsils were not infected but just very swollen. I told him the Pediatrician wasn't sure if a partial tonsilectomy was a good idea until they got the blood work bad which would indicate which was better--partial or full. He saw fluid in his ears still, so the tubes are still needed. (Oh, now I just remembered I wanted to ask him about where to get the special plugs to seal his ears when he swims of takes a bath. I will have to remember to ask that next week).

Next we went to the anesthesiologist. Unfortuantely the normal one (who is from India and speaks decent English) was not there and his colleague (who spoke poor English--worse than my German) went over the risks of Anestesia--I am glad I know it from when Niki got his Adenoids out because otherwise I would know nothing. In case you are thinking that I am arrogant to think that these doctors should know my language while I am living in their country, I just want to say that they are certified for the military members that they are able to converse in English so the base with refer to them (most military members and families are only here for 2-3 years and will not be able to learn the language beyond small talk--certainly not medical terminology).

After we left there we went to the Orthopedist and they said they could see us in 45 minutes but I had the sense to ask for an apointment the next week.

Then we drove to radiology. Niki had to have the X-ray 4 times because he wouldn't stand still (with his top off, smashed against a board with his chin in a holder and a protective "skirt"). He was scared of the noise and I don't blame him, it scared me and sounded like a sudden tornado coming through the room.

We then waited to talk to the Radiologist who said he has bronchitis (didn't like the look of his ribs) moving to pnemonia. Great. So I called the Pedatrician back and they wanted me to come right over to get a perscription for an antibiotic and waited for me since thier office closes early on Fridays.

We had a late lunch and I took the kids to the playground for an hour.

On the way home I stopped at the Pharmacy only to find out they didn't have the antibiotic in stock and I will have to return tomrrow to get that.

I got home around 3:30. I had a near anxiety attack after the radiologist, wondering if we should just delay the surgery but then I would have to wait another couple of months to get on the surgery rotation again. Niki has ear infections about the same amount as he doesn't and it makes me so nervous to hear him sleeping since he sounds like Darth Vader and I worry his enlarged tonsils will cut off his airways (see, my fear of him dying has just gone from SIDS to this).

Anyway, we will see if this really takes place after the doctor gets his labs back on Monday.

Posted by Krista at August 15, 2008 04:37 PM