Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Surgeons Suck

So, as previously reported, Big Man's ear tube surgery went great. Until he took a late afternoon nap. When he woke up there was blood all over and in his left ear. I kinda freaked out. I reread our post-surgery instructions - NOTHING about blood. The sheet says there can be some discharge -- but I thought that meant clear fluid or the like. Anyway, I call the dr's emergency line, and - to give him credit - he calls me right back. Now I have never been a big fan of this dr. The first time we met (it was only about a week ago!), he was very cold, examined my son for about 3 minutes, and declared he needed ear tubes. But, he was very highly recommended, so I was like, fine. Yesterday prior to the surgery he maybe spoke 15 words to me. "Any questions? It will be over in 10 minutes". After surgery I think there were less "you've already made your post-op appointment? Give him these ear drops 2x a day". So when he calls back and I explain the problem, there is a bit of silence, then a defense "I'm very surprised to hear that." -- I'm like, surprised in that you nicked his brain stem and he is slowing dying? or surprised because this sometime happens but you didn't expect it to? or surprised that I would call over such a little thing?. He goes on about how his ears were "bone dry" after the surgery and he is really surprised. I'm still freaking out about it and he finally says that worst case he may have to take the tube out and reinsert it if the tube is now stuck up with dried blood. The blood was not currently flowing, but had dried and after wiping it off the outside of the ear, it still looked gunky going into the ear. So, the Dr says to just call and make an appointment, and he would take a look - but, btw, he was in surgery the next 2 days, so it may have to wait until Friday. Now luckily, big man doesn't seem to be bothered at all. I am calling the Drs today to see if I can get the next available appointment - with either dr in the practice. I figure it should take 2 minutes for them to look and see if its a problem. Hopefully we don't have to do this all again.

Now, I watch ER and Grey's Anatomy - I get that surgeon's are assholes. This one fits the mold perfectly. It just really bugged me that he was more offended that something hadn't gone perfectly in his surgery then worried about the impact on my son.

UPDATE - just went in to see the Dr. The left tube is clogged with dried blood. We have new eardrops that we hope will dissolve it. We go back end of next week and see. If they have not fixed it, then the Dr will try and suction it out (something he said we would have to restrain Big Man for) or, at the extreme, he can take the tube out (also something done in the office, and I imagine involves restraints). Lets hope the drops work!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

He sounds like a jackass. Show some concern...punk! Sorry :(

Mrs. Booms said...

What a creepo!!! I can tell you from experience that some doctors can be major assholes and when it comes to your babies you just want to kick their butts...

Happy Working Mom said...

That's horrible!!! I hope that he doesn't have to have the tubes taken out and put back in again!

Anonymous said...

That sucks. What a dick. hopefully, it isn't a big deal after all, and there's nothing to worry about.

Amy W said...

My doctor called all the parents by names and held hands and made everyone feel warm and fuzzy...this guy? Totally seems like a jerk!

Pam said...

What a jerk (the dr.)! I am so sorry that you are going through this. I hope that it all works out and you have a best case situation to resolve this! I'll be thinking of you and your family!

M said...

What a total a-hole. Nice bedside manner dude.

I do hope all resolves well on its own without restraints or going back in for a removal and reinsertion.

WTH caused it to bleed in the first place? GAH!