Monday, May 18, 2009

Chasing Zebra's

There is a saying that floats around in grad school, especially medical school.
"When you hear hoof beats think horses, not zebra's."
It's a simple concept really, seek out the ordinary not the extraordinary, when looking for answers. I suppose in the medical world it reigns in over-zealous, young doctors who are eager to diagnose every sniffle as malaria or every headache as a brain tumor. It makes sense in a horse filled world. If you live in one.
It's why the first doctor I wrote about wanted to dive right into scratch testing and other fundamental allergy type protocol. He's treating a horse.
It's also why I sought out a new doctor.
And found one. He's an educator, a leader and a practitioner. He heads up the regional allergy and asthma research group here. He has run hundreds of clinical trials. His resume is awesome. His knowledge seems omniscient. And when we went in for our appointment, he didn't disappoint. After taking a thorough history and answering every last question we had, going so far as to take the papers I had brought with me with all of my Dr. Google research out of my hands and reading it himself, he gave us his answer.
He told us, "I have never seen a case like this before or even read about one. I will not do anything until I have researched it myself. I am writing to every colleague I have and every publication out there to present this case. I want more information and answers before we do anything to your son." He said that even though he hasn't seen it, he knows someone else has and he wants to find that someone else.
He also told me to call my doctor and to get on Calcium supplements right away. (I've eliminated nuts, dairy, wheat and eggs from my diet because of the results of tests done on Cason in the hospital ) He treats the whole patient and right now, because I am still nursing, I am part of Cason.
No arrogance, no dismissing my concerns, no trying to fit Cason into a round hole with his right angle corners. No pretending to know what to do just because he is a doctor. He has more questions and he wants to find the answers.
So now we wait. And we try to catch this zebra of mine.

18 comments:

Tash said...

I love this guy. Reminds me of our CHOP people.

Hug him for me.

Michele said...

Sounds like a great doctor. That is wonderful!

Ya Chun said...

Yes!

And kudos to you for cutting out those high allergen foods. Good thing it's spring and you can eat lots of salad.

If you need an ideas for staple foods or recipes, send me an email. (I don't eat wheat) I do eat alot of rice, quinoa, and tortillas.

Sue said...

SO glad to hear it! A doctor who doesn't have the answer, but is willing to do the work to find it. Excellent!

Aunt Becky said...

GOOD. I was NOT impressed by your previous MD. So glad you switched.

Sarah said...

Wow! So glad you got a new one - he sounds awesome. And the elimination diet is not fun, but so worth it. I bet I'd lose a ton of weight if I did that!

still life angie said...

I have so much respect for those doctors that admit they don't know, but won't rest until they do. Sounds like a really good person on your team.

ezra'smommy said...

yay for awesome doctor!

Coggy said...

I want to hug this guy too.

I hope that he hurries up and catches this zebra soon so you can all breath a sigh of relief.
Like Ya Chun said, kudos to you indeed for everything you are doing, so many wouldn't. Hey with all this food elimination you'll be going all supermodel on us. Much strength to you Kal as you deal with this x x x

Mommy (You can call me OM) said...

This is so good to hear. It's funny that we can be reassured by somebody not knowing the answer. But, when they readily admit they don't know the answer but are willing and able to find it, that's the difference. I'm glad you found your guy.

I'll be thinking of you. Peace.

Hope's Mama said...

Good news K. Yes, you can hug him from me, too. And I love that line "I am part of Cason". You're a wonderful mother.

loribeth said...

If only all doctors were half as committed to finding answers as this one seems to be. Glad you found him!

CLC said...

I heart your new doctor! Why can't they all be like this? I hope he finds the answers.

Reba said...

that doctor sounds like a keeper.
don't we all wish we still lived in a land of horses, instead of zebras!

charmedgirl said...

wow...that's awesome. you know what they say, the more you know, the less you know you know...and he's a practicing researcher. he knows at the end of every question is likely another question.

yet, we're talking about a little person, and i hope he can shed some light on this situation. how frustrating. i'm glad you found him.

Fireflyforever said...

I'm so pleased you & Cason have this guy on your side, K. I truly, truly hope that you get some answers soon.

Julia said...

W00t! Sounds like one of the good ones, and I am so glad he's in your corner. Please keep us updated on how it goes.

G$ said...

So glad you found someone who seems to care, like really care, not the fake care. Keep us updated on how this goes. Cuz you know I think about you in the stirrups...
xo