Not Sure If I Believe the Doctors.

Hi I know the feeling I almost lost my daughter do to a doctors careless ,but when I rushed her into emergency at Beaumont in Royal oak ,they saved her and for 3 yrs we have been seeing them on a regular basis , You should contact beaumont and talk to them and tell them whats going on and they will point you in the right direction. keep the faith not all docs are bad .T.

Have you thought about bringing her to either the Children's Hospitals in Ann Arbor or Detroit? They have many specialist and that is where my family finally got a diagnosis for my niece after 3 years of searching! It takes persistance. Good Luck and keep us posted.

I feel for you. I don't trust doctors either. Though I do have two fabulous pediatricans that I drive 20 minutes to see. There names are Dr. Robert Roman and Dr. Mary Sue. There phone number is 248- ###-###-####. Always, remember that mother knows best and always get a second opinion or third.

Best of Mothering,
Michelle - mother of 4

Get a second opinion!!! This is your daughters health! If there is a problem you don't want to wait until it gets really bad. Trust your instincts.

Who is your Pediatrician now? Have you ever thought of going to Bald Mountain Medical Center. I have heard many many GOOD things about Dr. Kevin Robertson. You can make an appointment with him. My daughter had him personally do a spinal tap, just because she didn't trust most doctors. The number to the Center is ###-###-####. We live in Oxford, MI So that is where we go. Your in my prayers.

Hi, First of all, take a deep breath. The lumps in her neck could be nothing. Sometimes when our bodies are trying to fight even a minor infection such as a cold, sinus infection or anything, our lymph glands will get a little larger than normal. I personally had two enlarged lymph glands on the right backside of my neck. They were there for almost 2 years and finally the surgeon decided to take them out and biopsied them and they were fine. Chances are that they are okay. If something were wrong, she would most likely have other symptoms. If you aren't happy with the care or the answers that you are getting from her current doctor, definitely get another opinion. Even a family doctor. I hope that I helped a bit. Please let me know what happens:)

J., I am not sure how many dr.'s you have tried but I would take her to Mayo Clinic. The doctors here told my dad he had heart problems in his 40's and after taking him to Mayo it was high blood pressure!! Not all doctors have the same knowledge nor experiece. They are the best there, it's worth a shot before they miss something that my be vital to her long term health. Good Luck and God bless you both.

L.

J.,
First of all with the surgeries I can understand how you feel when you talk to your Dr's about a lump and they pass it off. i did want to say a couple of things though, just observations from reading your letter. Firstly, If you don't trust your Dr, find a new one. You have to completely trust them or at least be willing to track down a second opinion. Secondly, My son has Gastroenteritis all the time, it is a fancy term the Dr's use for stomach flu-nothing to be worried about at all. Thirdly, when little kids get sick, they can have palapable lymph nodes on the back of their neck. They are small, usually one on each side, right at the base of their skull. You may feel one or both or none depending on what they have and if they are swelled up. They are always there and that may be what you are feeling. This is another sign of flu or virus. Nothing to be worried about as they will come and go. You can find another pediatrician, but you need to be prepared to ask them to "dumb things down" for you. Luckily, my son's pediatrician is also his Godfather and close family friend so I just give him my look and he brings it down to my level. I am finding nothing on lymphanitis on webmd so maybe you have it spelled wrong but it sounds to me like swollen lymph nodes-
You didn't go into detail about her chest problems, do you see a cardia specialist for her? Maybe ask them and see what they say. Otherwise it could just be cold or asthma with as nasty as our weather is.
just remember, you are the mommy-ask all the questions you want....you are paying to have them answered in terms you can understand. If your current Dr can't meet your needs, find a new one.
Good Luck,
C.

J., If you are anywhere near the ann arbor area, insist that your pediatrician refer her to Mott's Children's hospital or Devos (Grand Rapids) for evaluation. My daughter was born with Multicystic dysplastic kidney on the left kidney and hydronephrosis and reflux in the the right kidney. Needless to say, she has about 58% kidney function in the one kidney that works. The doctors there are the TOP as far as I'm concerned. I'm completely at a loss as far as what specialty to ask for in your situation. Maybe try general pediatrics at the Mott's clinic or Dermatology???
T.

J., I could not imagine what you are going through. I have friends that had a little girl with the lump on her neck. The Docs said it was benine but they removed it anyway. They went to Motts Children Hospitol in Ann Arbor. I have taken my kids there its a great place. I dont know if its the same thing.
My kids have special needs and I have been through four docs before I found one I liked that has done so much for my kids and what do you know she is a general prac. I always thought I would go to a ped but she has been great. She is a mom too I think that helps. Dont be afraid to say "No this is what I think needs to be done" Its hard because they are the professional but I have learned sometimes a mothers gut works well too. Good luck M.

hi J.
sorry to hear about all the problem your sweet little girl has gone thur.i myself would change her doctor and have them do a complete work up do you living in the lansing area if so i love my kids doctor and trut them maybe if you can't waite i would take her up to the hospital a tell them she been complaning of chest pain they can do a ekg and xray then happen to point out the lump on her neck well good luck and if you want my kids doctor name and number let me know

I would definately find another doctor and get a second opinion. Even when doctors say otherwise a mom knows when there is something wrong with their child. I wish I had taken my own advice on that or my daughter wouldn't be getting scheduled for hurnea surgery. Good Luck and God Bless.

I am a legal assistant for an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice, particularly involving children. The most important thing you can do is GET A SECOND OPINION. Trust your maternal instinct. If you think something is wrong with your child, you are probably right. You know your child the best and see her every day, so you know when something is not right. The doctors only know what you tell them about her, and are often very busy, so they may not be able to give your child the care and attention she deserves. Honestly, I have nothing against doctors, but one piece of advice I wish EVERYONE (not just the parents who call our law office) would take is to TRUST YOUR INSTINCT AND GET A SECOND (or third) OPINION if you don't think the doctor made the right decision.
Good luck!

Your right it's not normall. so you either need to be very presistant about toward the doctor, and I mean untill the point that they get mad at you! Either that or switch doctors! I met a little girlk with a lump in that spot that she was born with and her doctor told her its fine my the time she's 3 it will disapear! But it wasn't diapearing! And the little gitl also said it doesn't hurt!

J.,
Go to another doctor for a second opinion. There is no way that A lump on the back of the neck is normal. From what I know from training to become a medical assistant Lymphangitis is Inflammation of the lymph vessels, usually caused by infection, which may lead to Blood infections. So I don't know why your doctor told you to just leave it alone. I'D go see some else about ASAP. None of that stuff your discribing is normal I don't understand that at all. L.

Take him to Children's hospital of detroit. When we thought my 14 r. old son had lymphoma we took him there, The staff is very friendly and will work with you untill they find out what the problem is and then fix it. Good Luck

ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER ARE IN MY PRAYERS, AND LISTEN TO YOUR HEART. DO WHAT YOU THINK YOU NEED TO DO. TALK WITH MORE DOCTORS, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE CORRECT. (UNFORTUNATLY) GOD BLESS.

J., I sympathize with you situation. I am a 28 yr old mother. My son is 16 mo. Both him and I have had tremendous medical issues. I am a survivor of short bowel syndrome. At birth I had all but 2 feet of my intestines removed, not to mention the heart,liver, and gaulbladder problems. I was feed introveniously for 16 yrs. My family was told I would not survive, and at age 16 I was told I would not survive without the TPN. Well, I survived and gave birth to a son on 10/16/05. This was no easy task. I went to supposedly the best doctors in Ohio at OSU medical center for my pregnancy. Needless to say they were no help. I delivered at 35 weeks because they let me get so dehydrated and malnurished. As a result of my SBS I have numerous vitamin deficiences and problems absorbing anything I put into my body. The baby was to much for me. It was a terribly scary birth experience. I was sure one of us was not going to make it. Dylan was in the NICU for a month. Not eating or producing bowel movements. I was to this was normal for an immature digestive system. They never told me about his fevers, his apnic spells, and they were doing x-rays and not telling me anything about them or that they had done them. I was livid. As a mother you have a gut feeling, trust it! I immediately called my surgeon a Children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dylan was rushed there. Within a matter of 2weeks they had a diagnosis of NEC and a cyst in a bile duct and on his gaulbladder and preformed surgery to remove the necrotic bowel,gaulbladder and repair the bile duct. He is fine now. Completely healthy. If I had trusted the doctors at OSU he may not have survived. They were careless with me and my son. Be persistant and try to do some research. Bring up every possibility, leave no stone unturned. There is definitely a problem. If there is anything I can do please let me know. I've made some great friends at Children's and they are always availble for advice. Maybe they could make some recomendations on what type of doctor your daughter may need. My email address is ____@____.com and my cell # is ###-###-####. I wish you and your daughter all the best. Hang in there, I know it's hard, but have faith. There are good doctors out there you just need to find the right one.

I never had this problem, but the one thing i can advice is PRAYER LOT OF PRAYER LOT FAITH i do agree that u need another Pid! i don't know where u stay, but have u though about dhildren's DMC? or Detroit receiving?

hi J., I feel for you on these issues with your precious little girl. I think i would turn to childrens hospital. The doctors there are awsome.
pediatricians are good for vaccinations,colds, and flus, but when it comes to something as serious as this, i would suggest childrens hospital for sure. good luck with your little girl. i would like to know how she is doing so keep in touch with me on this okay?! J. from yale michigan.

I am very sorry to hear that you are going through all that with your daughter im sure that its scary if i were u i would for sure find a new doctor and see what they say...your daughters life is too valueable to just not worry about it. I will keep you in my prayers and hopefully you can get something done..try to hang in there..

hi,i dont really have any business leaving this message, for i have no idea what you are going through, how terribly sad. get her to kalamazoo or motts childrens hospital. they work wonderful. forget the local hospitals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!good luck- love for your daughter and you

Hi J.,
First off, I'm so sorry for everything you must be going through. My advice to you, is to follow your instincts! Absolutely look at other pediatricians. Depending on what insurance you have, I would get several opinions of several doctors. Find a pediatrician that is not only knowledgable, but will actually sit down and take some real time with you and your daughter. It seems like most doctors are in such a hurry these days. Anyway, I'm sure these are all opinions that you've already heard. But your story touched my heart and I wanted to respond. Good luck and take care!
J.

Hi J.,

I think you should trust your instinct, and find a different doctor, at least for a second opinion. With your daughter's health history, you don't want to take any chances. Try calling the medical society for a referral for a specialist.
Good luck!
T.