Questioning the Man
Why do we stop asking why? Or should I say "when" do we stop asking why? As the mother of two T1 girls, I question EVERYTHING, especially the status quo. However, I am reminded that I have behaved in that manner for my entire life. Not only did I not stop asking why, but I ask why not?
I am my daughters' best advocate until they can become their own best advocates. My husband has the "don't question the doctor" disease (which is why our youngest was given Gatorade in the ER at diagnosis even though her BS was already in the mid-200s because the ER doctor was positive that she needed the electrolytes). I work in an industry where it is heavily apparent that the doctors don't exactly keep up with the times since they are so pressured to see patients every 10 minutes.
We are VERY lucky to have an ped endo who will spend an hour with us every three months. Because she charges more, she is on top of the current research and sends out email blasts to keep us informed. BUT, she always listens to my questions AND sometimes she learns something she hadn't seen yet. We pay for this by having PPO instead of HMO and we will most likely have to pay more when she starts charging subscription fees. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Our endo is open and curious and asks the questions that I would ask in addition to the questions an endo would ask. She has a personal relationship with our girls and with us as parents. She doesn't deal with absolutes and she doesn't judge us as parents.
I want more people to question. Ask why and ask why not. Who knows what the answers will be?
I am my daughters' best advocate until they can become their own best advocates. My husband has the "don't question the doctor" disease (which is why our youngest was given Gatorade in the ER at diagnosis even though her BS was already in the mid-200s because the ER doctor was positive that she needed the electrolytes). I work in an industry where it is heavily apparent that the doctors don't exactly keep up with the times since they are so pressured to see patients every 10 minutes.
We are VERY lucky to have an ped endo who will spend an hour with us every three months. Because she charges more, she is on top of the current research and sends out email blasts to keep us informed. BUT, she always listens to my questions AND sometimes she learns something she hadn't seen yet. We pay for this by having PPO instead of HMO and we will most likely have to pay more when she starts charging subscription fees. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Our endo is open and curious and asks the questions that I would ask in addition to the questions an endo would ask. She has a personal relationship with our girls and with us as parents. She doesn't deal with absolutes and she doesn't judge us as parents.
I want more people to question. Ask why and ask why not. Who knows what the answers will be?
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Comment by The Diabetic Welfare Queen on October 20, 2010 at 8:32pm -
If one of my good friends had the "don't question the doctor disease," she might have been dead by now, considering that an an on duty doctor denied her insulin during surgery... I guess b/c he didn't believe there could be adults with Type 1. :/ I try to remind people that they need to be on top of their disease b/c of what you just said... doctors don't have time... and many times the amount of D knowledge they get in school is so minimal, and I often get attacked for it... We need to be prepared b/c we simply can't afford to not be. You are lucky to have a great ped endo for your girls.
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Comment by awillie on October 20, 2010 at 10:22pm -
what a wonderful post. thank you!
my answer is NEVER EVER STOP questioning the man, the woman, the world, etc. the idea that anyone 'knows more than you' for whatever reason (4 years of med school not excluded) is bogus. who knows better than someone who manages the disease (which is what you will do until they are old enough to do so) on a day to day minute to minute basis? what wonderful questions we as diabetics (T1, T2, T1.5, T3) come up with! keep asking. i know i will!
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Comment by SF Pete on October 21, 2010 at 9:32am -
My mom wouldn't question the doctor either. She was once put on a BP med that made her feet swell and it was uncomfortable for her. I begged her to call the doctor and tell him what she was experiencing. I told her that there were other BP meds out there and they can have different affects. She wouldn't do it. If I hear something I don't think is right, I follow-up. I was recently at the ER and the medical staff knew nothing about my CGM and my pump. I did a little welcome to the Dexcom and OmniPod for the ER staff. They don't know a lot of stuff.
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Comment by KimKat on October 21, 2010 at 12:27pm -
My parents have that doctor disease too. They think doctors are always right and know everything. Doctors are GOD. You do not question them. Unfortunately, I always do if I think they are wrong that is- and they have been wrong numerous times and me right! :) They should be paying me! LOL! People have to remember that doctors were babies like us once too - going to med school does not make one all-knowing. A good doctor keeps up on the lastest and has an open mind for change. Unfortunatley, that doesn't describe many doctors. They have no time for learning and research because they are too busy making money to pay for their Porshes. :)
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Comment by KimKat on October 21, 2010 at 12:30pm
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SF Pete, sounds like your mom was allergic to that BP med. That happened to me too. I was allergic to antibiotic that made my body swell up but the nurse told me I was NOT allergic too it. Thank god I didn't listen to her and trusted my own instincts and went to the ER. Too many doctors and nurses ignore bad reactions to med and call them "side effects" and say to keep on taking it. Trust yourself. Anytime you swell up from a med, that is an allergic reaction and stop taking it, if your doctor doesn't agree, get a new doctor. :)
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Comment by Betty J on October 21, 2010 at 2:43pm
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Amen!..I agree with all you've said and hopefully your children will see you in action and imitate your personality when it comes to their Diabetes. It take advovacy whether on our part or others to help us understand how to live a healtthier life with Diabetes.
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