An Appointment with Destiny
Take a good look at this picture.
There are two things worth noting.
One is that Katie took the picture. She is becoming quite the shutter bug.
Two is that the snotty-nosed Amy that we have come to know may be a thing of the past. Our five month wait to see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was over as we saw Dr. Handler today. The visit went remarkably well. For one, we had an appointment at 8am. And (gasp) imagine this, we were actually seen on time.
The verdict was largely as we thought it would be. The recommendation is to have her adenoids taken out. Her tonsils will remain.
The verdict is pending the examination of her X-rays. We are forwarding them to Children’s tonight.
What? You mean the X-rays weren’t taken at Children’s? Yeah, that’s right.
Thanks to Independence Blue Cross (money-grubbers that they are), our insurance requires that while we can see the specialist of our choice, we have to go to the X-ray department at our “local” hospital, Chestnut Hill Hospital. So that means that our not yet three year old had an 8am appointment at Children’s Hospital who could not, despite their preference to do it at their site, have the X-rays taken there. She then had to go to Chestnut Hill Hospital for X-rays. And now we have to get the X-rays back to Children’s. Blech.
All of that said, Amy will likely have surgery soon. I am hopeful that it will go smoothly. While I dread, dread, dread the surgery - I don’t like the idea of operations ever - the potential benefits are huge. Fewer infections, fewer antibiotics. More hours of continuous sleep per night which may mean less grumpiness during the day. Maybe even - dare I even dream - some weight gain?
Fingers crossed. I’ll let you know what happens.
May 1st, 2007 at 4:39 pm
That is, quite possibly, the most hideous photo I have ever seen a mother share. I have posted (to counter balance the karma) an adorable photo of Amy (looking like she’s 20) and Kate.
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:17 am
Poor girl! She looks so unhappy in that picture.
Kid L had her adenoids and tonsils removed in between kindergarten and first grade. The results have been downright amazing. In kindergarten she had strep 6 times and missed more than 2 weeks of school. Since the surgery, she has had strep one time and has missed 8 days of school.
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:35 am
I’m glad to hear about Kid L!
I have been researching on the net about this quite a bit. The results seem mixed, though I will say (and yes it sounds wildly patronizing but I’ll just say it anyway) a lot of the negative results seem to correspond to parents who:
1. appeared to be hellbent on the surgery as a solution to all of their child’s health problems. Ever. and
2. seemed to move ahead without a second opinion or further investigation into other options.
I am really happy that we had a second opinion at one of the premier children’s hospitals in the country. I just feel better about it.
And you already know that I hate surgery and hospitals, so that’s saying a lot.
I will be a nervous wreck until it’s over. She’s sooo itty bitty.
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:36 am
And Madgirl, thanks for the “cleaner” Amy photo! You know I think she’s a cutie - even when covered in snot.