It is pretty safe to say that one of the last places Dubbers would ever choose to be is in a doctor’s office. While this is pretty common for most children and even adults, it is particularly traumatic for Dubbers. One would think after four years of countless doctor appointments, emergency room visits, overnight hospital stays and even the operating table, he would be at least somewhat comfortable by now.
As I touched on in a previous post, “Medical Team,” we finally left Dubbers’ original pediatric practice for a new one about a year ago. The sense of urgency and attention, along with the on-call support, was not adequate for a child, like Dubbers, with special needs. It was very frustrating to be connected to a random nursing service in Ohio, versus one of the doctors in the practice when calling with concerns after-hours. We transitioned to Pediatric Associates of NYC (affiliated with NYU) and have been very pleased with the care received and focus on Dubbers. When I call with a question, a doctor promptly returns my call and already knows Dubbers’ medical history. This most recent visit for blood work was no exception to the professionalism and quality the team at Pediatric Associates provides. I knew when I made this appointment, it was not going to be a fun morning. Giving blood is probably the hardest for Dubbers to handle. The fear, anticipation, restraints and sensory factors are ingredients for a recipe of disaster.
We entered the office with Dubbers already a complete emotional mess, having figured out the destination of our morning walk. A nurse took us back to the lab, where she, the lab technician and myself attempted to prepare his arm with no success and an increasingly distraught Dubbers. The lab tech then suggested we move to a larger room where he could lie down, which would hopefully help him relax and allow us to hold him still more easily. After another couple attempts a third nurse came to help. The four of us remained calm, yet determined with absolutely no signs of impatience or frustration towards Dubbers. I have found that counting can help calm him down, so three of us calmly counted to twenty while the lab technician successfully poked and drew the needed blood on her first try! Dubbers is also not a fan of band aids, so again then nurses and I counted to twenty to allow time to hold pressure to his arm to stop the bleeding. We all then praised Dubbers on his bravery and cooperation, and in return he gave everyone high fives.
Despite a less then ideal situation, I left that appointment so grateful for these nurses and this practice of doctors. While Dr. Liza Natalie is Dubbers’ main Pediatrician, we have been seen by Dr. Christine Stern and Dr. Paula Prezioso during sick visits, who are equally fantastic. If you are looking for a new pediatrician, I highly recommend Pediatric Associates.
