On Tuesday, Luke (10 weeks) had diarhea and projectile vomiting all day long. Worried about possible dehydration, I took him to the doctor. When we got there, the doctor sent us to the ER. She thought he was dehydrated, and that he might possibly have pyloric stenosis (a thickening of the pyloric muscle in the stomach that prevents food from passing through)

After an ultrasound at the ER, it was determined that he did have this problem and would need surgery. They admitted us and were planning surgery for Wed afternoon.

On Wed they took us to pre-op twice, only to send us back to the room because they weren't positive about his diagnosis. Finally, after more tests, they decided he did NOT have pyloric stenosis. This was on Thursday. Still, they wanted to observe him and kept us overnight AGAIN.

I was thrilled that he didn't have to have surgery, don't get me wrong. But I was so displeased with how we were treated at the hospital. To have to go through pre-op, not once, but twice, and then be sent back to our room was frustrating. Especially since our two month old baby had to go the entire day without eating for no reason at all.
I really wish the different doctors/surgeons/specialists would have communicated better. They could have prevented all the hassles and confusion.

Do you know how hard it is to NOT feed your tiny baby? I felt horrible when he was crying and looking at me and I couldn't feed him, and then it was all for nothing. I wish they would have let me feed him until they were sure, and if surgery had been needed, we could have gone from there.

On top of all this, one of the doctors was so rude. She treated me like I didn't know how to take care of the baby and got a smart attitude with me several times. UGH! It was so frustrating.

But, the only important thing is that he is ok, he didn't need surgery. They are assuming it was a virus. 4 days in the hospital for a virus. I'm just glad to be home.

By Brandy on Saturday, June 23, 2007 - 11:25 pm:

I'm so glad he's doing better = ) sorry to hear of your troubles though = ( and glad to hear you are home ...give him extra lovins = )

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 12:43 am:

What a rotten experience and to have a crying baby that I couldn't feed would have torn me apart.

{{{HUGS}}}

By Bobbie~moderatr on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 08:18 am:

I agree, rotten... Some doctors would do good to remember that they are actually employees of the patients, not the other way around... As if the whole situation wasn't bad enough, you have to deal with a bad bedside manner...


{{{HUGS}}}

By Karen~admin on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 09:26 am:

{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}

In my experience, some of the *better* doctors have the WORST bedside manner, and show the patients/families the LEAST respect. However, that doesn't make it right.

I'm sorry you've had to go through that, but it's great news that he doesn't have P.S.

I do think, if I were you, I'd journal all of this *now*, while you remember details, and when you are feeling more settled at home, write a letter to the hospital administrator/chief of medical staff, and whoever else that (hopefully ) Ginny might recommend.

There really is no excuse for what you went through.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 10:54 am:

More {{{HUGS}}} What an awful experience! Glad to hear Luke is better and you're home!

By Nicki on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 06:43 pm:

So glad little Luke is okay. I'm so sorry for all you went through. How very awful for all of you.
Hugs.

By Cocoabutter on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 11:39 pm:

With little babies, these things can be so hard to diagnose since they can't tell you exactly where it hurts. Did you have your other boy with you? I remember being a new mom and getting treated like my concerns were unfounded and no big deal. Maybe the mean doctor thought you were a new mom and didn't know what the heck you were doing.

Doesn't make it right. I would write a letter and complain to the hospital about this whole incident with his misdiagnosis, confusion, and rude treatment.

By Jelygu on Monday, June 25, 2007 - 11:06 am:

My husband talked to his friend, who is a hospital adminstrator (not at the this hospital). He said that he would WANT to know what had happened, and that we should talk to someone about it.
So I guess I will let someone know. It just isn't like me to make a formal complaint.

By Mrsheidi on Monday, June 25, 2007 - 11:21 am:

"In my experience, some of the *better* doctors have the WORST bedside manner, and show the patients/families the LEAST respect. However, that doesn't make it right." Ditto Karen...our doctor back in MD make the right diagnosis but had horrible bedside manner.

I'm SO sorry you couldn't feed your baby!!! Hospitals are horrible enough, let alone you are in there with your hungry baby while it's taking forever to decide on surgery...ugh. Triple ugh. {{{Lotsa hugs}}}