Inside HBC

Specialist uses threat of social services

I have decided to switch pediatric pulmonology specialists.

A few weeks ago I received a call from a nurse from Fairfax Pulmonology (our specialist) relaying a social services threat from Dr. Osborn.

Being threatened by Valentino’s specialist doesn’t seem like a healthy functioning patient/doctor relationship.

Because I had canceled and rescheduled two of Valentino’s visits, Dr. Osborn wanted me to know that if I didn’t bring Valentino in by the end of the week, they would contact social services.

After the fear, anger, frustration AND confusion subsided I tried to share my thoughts on the situation and my decision, as Valentino’s mother, to reschedule his appointment.

Valentino had finished a round of antibiotics and switched to an albuterol MDI inhaler last month and was doing great. Then he got a little fever and sniffles that were not CF related. The fever and sniffles were teething related. Valentino had been up all night and was fussy and the last thing he needed was to be at the specialist being poked and prodded for several hours. So, I decided to cancel and reschedule his appointment. I explained to the receptionist that I was canceling because he was not feeling well due to teething and appointment would probably just be traumatic instead of helpful.

Shortly after I hung up from rescheduling the appointment, I received a call from the nurse threatening to contact social services if I did not bring Valentino in to the specialist.

It is outrageous that this is the state of affairs in the western medical model. Threatening parents instead of having a discussion and voicing their concerns and offering me the opportunity to understand their viewpoint and then share mine, and then perhaps subsequently meet in the middle. Perhaps I would have agreed to take Valentino in to see Dr. Osborn immediately.

The most important issue, for me, is that I am Val’s primary caregiver.

I see him every single day and watch his health closely. I am the mother that knows the difference between a lung infection and my teething baby.

I also have the medical records where Dr. Osborn recorded that I always adhere to the chest PT and medical regimine and seem to be handling the care of Valentino quite well since his diagnosis at 7 weeks old to his current 18 months.

Why then, is Dr. Osborn’s mode of communication to threaten me by relaying a message through a nurse? And why is there no discussion and sharing of viewpoints? No doctor or state agency should be able to force me to parent in a certain manner when it is clear, and I have the medical records that state, that I am a devoted, loving, and competent caretaker for handling my son’s CF?

Mother’s intuition vs. medical system

Navigating the western medical model while also listening to my own intuition regarding Val’s health is a trying task.

I have been very hesitant to give Val the vaccinations at the pace the pediatrician and specialist would like. I have him started on vaccinations but am behind on the entire list of “required” vaccinations.

Because of my determination to space out the vaccinations, our pediatrician sent a letter withdrawing from Val’s care. The specialist  also is upset and angry that we are without a pediatrician and that we are behind on his vaccinations.

I have seen Val take in a lot of medications already at only 16 months old: creon, antibiotics, steroids, albuterol, and laxatives. I feel that it would be dangerous and careless to assume that his nervous system would be able to handle vaccinations without some type of repercussions.

I’m not entirely refusing vaccination. And I don’t ever go against recommended treatment regimines for Val.

Yet when I raise questions about the safety of the vaccinations I am met with hostility instead of information. Should there not be any discourse regarding my child’s treatment plan? Should I not have a say in what goes into his body and the pace at which it happens?

I am the one who goes home with him and watches him daily and knows his breathing, his digestion, his moods and his response to his medications. So why should I not be allowed a voice in his treatment plan?

Coconut Rum Ice Cream

This ice cream will cool you off and awaken your taste buds.

• 2 very fresh eggs (sweet)
• 5 tsps stevia powder or up to 3 droppers of stevia liquid (flavored if you have it, to taste) (sweet)
• 1 can of coconut cream (no sugar) (sweet)
• 2 cups heavy cream (sweet)
• 2 TBS rum (sweet)
• 1/4 cup chopped candied ginger (pungent)
• Toasted coconut flakes and slivered almonds (optional) (sweet)

1. Whisk the eggs in a bowl for 2 minutes until frothy. Add stevia and whisk until well incorporated, about 1 minute. Whisk in the cream and coconut cream. Add rum and stir.
2. Chop the candied ginger into very small pieces.
3. Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instruction, adding candied ginger approximately 3/4 of the way through (or when advised by makers instructions).
4. Homemade ice cream is best served immediately, but if not possible, transfer to covered container and freeze until firm. You may need to let it sit out for a few minutes to soften up before serving. Top with toasted coconut or toasted slivered almonds.