I'm musing today about doctors and their advice, solutions, and treatments--and how varied they can be. I took my baby girl for her 2-month appointment the other day and the doctor recommended that she start taking a vitamin, for iron and vitamin D. Now, everything I've read says that breastfed babies don't need additional iron until they're 4-6 months old, and they get all of the vitamin D that they need from small amounts of sunshine. Apparently some children these days are developing rickets (or is that two "t"'s?) from not enough eksposure (hey, my eks key isn't working, either, cut me some slack!) to sunshine, they live in northern climes, are indoors a lot, and are slathered down with sunscreen. And in an informal survey of a number of friends, most didn't or don't give their babies a vitamin. Breastmilk is a perfect food! My baby doesn't need a supplement! I was broadsided by this request of the doctor's and didn't argue about it. But I do not believe that my baby needs this vitamin. So what to do? Not give it and lie about it? Submit and give it?

My main musing is this: Once upon a time, I would not have questioned my doctor's request at all; I would have taken her equest as law. Now, though, the internet, knowing so many others with babies, etc, has opened my eyes and mind. Doctors clearly have different opinions on this matter, on many matters. And they're only human, they can make mistakes. What does one do? Who do we believe? Do we find the doctor we agree with most? That's not always easy! What if they're wrong? What if we're wrong? But what if we're right? What if I'm right? But the vitamin won't do any harm, right? I guess I'm partly offended by the idea that my breastmilk isn't all she needs right now, according to this doctor, anyway. It smacks of the old school thinking that formula was better than breastmilk.
- posted by Anne @ 10:09 PM (0) comments

 
This blows. The c on my keyboard isn't working, so I have to cut and paste it over and over. Anyway, I'm in a different non-parenting vein tonight. I have a bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta. Brittle bones. I've had so many breaks over the years. And I have the mildest form. I have several compression fractures in my back and I'm so worried that I have a new one or ones now. I can't do anything about the old ones; they were discovered too late. Damn doctor thought my back pain was muscular. Now I have a new pain and it scares me. I'm scared because this time something could be done about it, surgery. How the hell can I have surgery right now? I have a 2-month old baby! I have a 2-year old!

Now I'm having a spiritual crisis. I'm trying to pray, but I don't know what to pray for. Healing? The fractures to just not be there? To not be in continuing worsening pain for the rest of my life?

I shouldn't feel sorry for myself. I should count my blessings, right? I have a nice home, good marriage, and two healthy children. But I still feel this way. I'm still asking "why me?"

This blows.
- posted by Anne @ 9:51 PM (0) comments