Tribute Tuesday

We have been given some of the most difficult news about Chloe from her neurologist. I think it was 'shoot the messenger' syndrome that initially made me have an extreme distaste for the man. But after some time of acceptance, Chloe's physical healing, and my emotional healing, I've come to have a great love and appreciation for him.

Chloe had a routine neurology appointment today. It is impossible for me to fully express how much I love her neurologist, but let me try....

He personally came to the waiting room to get Chloe and I. I said, "Wow, such service!" He said, "I wanted to help you with the stroller and your bags, and I was just so excited to see Chloe!"

I know. So sweet. I personally don't know any other doctor who would ever do that.

I told him about the new hand braces. I said how I liked them, but they were hard to get on. He said, "I know. My daughter has to wear braces too and they can be frustrating to work with."

I knew his daughter had neurologic issues, but every single time he relates to me like that, I just feel like I'm sitting there with a true friend who really gets me. He has cried with me, laughed with me, rolled his eyes at insurance policies and scheduling difficulties with me. And I know he's not just trying to appease me or be likable - he really gets it. He has a Chloe of his own.

Oh, and when I told him how someone donated the stander, his eyes welled with tears. He was so genuinely happy that Chloe was now getting the therapeutic benefits she needed, and touched by the goodness of others.

As he did Chloe's typical exam, he was looking at Chloe's eyes (because they've drifting out again lately), and Chloe started smiling and laughing and opened her mouth (that's what she does when she wants a kiss). Chloe loves him just as much as he loves her and as much as I love him. It's just one big love fest every time we go.

He's setting us up with pre-school and speech therapy at the local Shriner's Hospital. That will probably start when she turns 2 (in May).

We talked about her DAFO braces. He was concerned that she doesn't wear them throughout the day, only when we do exercises, because they dont' fit exactly perfectly, so long-term wearing is actually counter-productive. I told him I had accepted their imperfections because my insurance company wouldn't pay for another pair until she had grown out of these. He told me not to worry about that, that he would personally ensure that a sponsor would cover the cost so she could get braces that fit correctly. A new set of DAFO's are already ordered.

He said we didn't need to do an EEG because he wasn't worried about her current seizure activity. I only gave a look, I didn't say anything. He was aware that I wanted an EEG. I said I just would rather know there isn't any new seizure activity. He also knows that, for some reason, as fabulous as Primary Children's Hospital is for the most part..... the EEG scheduling is one of the most frustrating processes I have experienced. And I cannot figure out why. It seems like pretty basic stuff, but it always takes an army to get an EEG scheduled.

Anyway, her neurologist knows this. So he personally walked me up to the counter to schedule the EEG and make sure there weren't problems getting it scheduled as soon as possible. When the person started the typical frustrating schedule rigamaroo, the neurologist just went behind the counter and personally input our EEG appointment for next week. Easy peasy.

So hopefully I have sufficiently given props to Chloe's neurologist that he deserves. He is fantastic, and makes me feel that we are truly getting the best care available. There is nothing more comforting to me as a mother.