Mama Knows Best

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

On Saturday, I found myself having a mini-breakdown. Five months ago, we received the first positive test for Addison’s parasite. Five months. I just cannot describe the bitterness I feel when typing that.

On Thursday afternoon, I talked to the Health Department regarding further testing of our water supply (our = mine and my parents). Cami, my favorite gal up there, told me that they would try to “sneak out” on Tuesday to do the tests. While talking, we discussed my willingness to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this nightmare. Somehow the topic of doctors came up, I gave her the Infectious Disease Specialist’s name and we discussed possible second opinions. We hung up the phone, with a promise from her that I would hear back from her after she spoke with the doctor. True to her word, I received a call back and her words were like punches to the chest.

You see, when Addison’s third test came back positive, Dr. Linda threw in the towel and went for help. She knew the problem was becoming something larger than she could take on her self and with that, she began making calls. After talking to a Gastroenterologist, it was determined that they were not “equipped” to deal with this particular matter, that seeing an Infectious Disease Specialist was more appropriate. So Dr. Linda went that route, as would I. So when Cami called back, I was informed that the Infectious Disease Specialist now wants us to see a Gastroenterologist. The rage did not set in until I was told that many children do not respond to the medications prescribed. So I medicated my child four times, with medications that could have potential long terms affects for absolutely nothing? As you can imagine, my blood was beginning to boil at this point. After I hung up the phone with Cami, I called up the pediatrician’s office to request a referral to see a Gastroenterologist.

So on Friday, after Addison so nicely deposited a specimen sample into her diaper, I filled the specimen cups and drove the hour to the lab where her stools get tested. Seeing as I was in the area, I stopped into her pediatrician’s office to inquire about the referral, only to find out that Dr. Linda was waiting on a call back from Cami.

Can you see where I am going with this post? I feel as though I am being run around in circles with no end in sight. I have done everything that the doctors and health department has asked of me and where has that gotten me? No where. Absolutely no where. Tomorrow morning, I will begin making another round of calls and writing letters. I am skipping over all the little people and going straight to the top. I want results and I want them now.

I am sorry to continuously sound like I am beating a dead horse, but I am documenting every aspect of this journey.  Should I ever need to refer back to something when sitting down in a meeting, I want to be able to state specific dates and details.