Buddy’s Updates

I just have not gotten the chance to update on Buddy. With my last update, I mentioned he was going into a brace. Well, after paying the co-pay on this brace, and having it custom made, he complained the pain was worse. So just like that, the doctor took him out of it, and that pretty much ended up being money down the toilet.

Let me break off and say at this point that I just do not like “Doctor #3” (I will refrain from saying his name, only to prevent any issues in my son’s care.) Buddy was referred to this doctor for a surgery consult, and was slapped into a brace, instead! (Which…obviously did not work.) “Doctor #3” just has one of these attitudes, a “holier than thou” and just gave me a bad impression from the beginning. He just has no talking skills or bed-side manner!

This last appointment with him (which, incidentally, will be THE LAST) he told me that my son does not have Spina Bifida, arthritis, OR a slipped disc. HUH? He asked me who told me this. I went on to say…. “Doctor #1”, “Doctor #2”, the hospital’s radiology department, my primary care practice, and not to mention the x-ray report I physically gave this office when I was referred FOR SPINA BIFIDA OCCULTA. He spent like 5 minutes dumbly flipping through my son’s chart, and telling me he sees no indication, and that I have been “grossly misinformed”. He went on to tell me my son has a “fracture”, but his pain is “not consistent” with his issue. He then sent my son out of the room. His condescending attitude actually got worse at this point, and he asked me if my son was depressed. Anyone who knows my son can tell you he is a goofy, wacky, happy-go-lucky person. Depression? Not likely. The doctor says he is “highly concerned” my son is depressed and fears for his life and well being. WHAT?!?! He suggests I take him to my primary care ASAP to get him properly diagnosed. He goes on to say that his “Depression” is “manifesting his pain”, and the pain is certainly not coming from his back. At this point, I pretty much had a permanent frown pasted onto my face, and was quickly losing my patience. Last I checked, this guy had a degree in ORTHOPAEDICS, not therapy! *LOL* So he suggested my son go back to “Doctor #2” for a spinal injection not to help but to diagnose. If the injection brings relief then the pain IS coming from the back. If not, then basically either my son is delusional, or they have to try and figure out what is causing the pain. By the time this comes out, I am thinking, “Awesome, let’s go back to Doctor #2, because if I have to put up with you anymore, I think I will hit you.”

The following week, my son went back to “Doctor #2”. He looked at the chart and explained what the injection would do, and that it was pretty much a surgical procedure similar to an epidural. When we mentioned about what this other doctor in the practice said, “Doctor #2” was kind of stunned. He had dealt with Buddy for a while, and never has seen any indication of depression. And he went on to say that the issue going on, the most recent test DOES show a fracture. So the other doctor was partially right. But “Doctor #2” felt that it was the reason for his pain.

So, yesterday we went in for the procedure. Buddy did very well. However, “Doctor #2” came in to talk to us while he was in recovery. During the procedure, they were able to get a much better look at the situation. The “fracture” is a full blown break at the L5 section. That is what is causing his pain. And the break is much worse than the x-rays, MRI, and bone scan showed. “Doctor #2” is almost certain Buddy cannot recover on his own. He will need surgery to fix this. That being said, we refuse to go back to the other guy. So, hopefully, “Doctor #1” will be able to do this procedure.

The whole “too many doctors’ hands in the pot” thing is kinda confusing.

I am really hoping we get a resolution to this soon!