I wrote a few months ago that Thomas’ medication regime was horribly disrupted. The psychiatrist whose care he was under; without my permission lowered the dose of one of his much needed medications. One that controls aggressive behavior. This physician took the word of group home staff that Thomas was “fine” and without once consulting me; his mother and legal guardian kept decreasing the dosage until my son was on the verge of being hospitalized.
When I spoke with this doctor on the phone she said, “I think you need to work with another physician.” Nice. If I or anyone else I know fucked up their job to this extent we would at the very least be fired. Not this person.
So fast forward Thomas has a new psych practitioner who listens to me; Thomas’ mother. You know the one who raised him and knows him. The one no one listened to or believed for many years. The new psych NP immediately raised the dose of the medication that was lowered to an almost non existent dose. We didn’t see an improvement immediately of course, these meds take time to work. But after increasing steadily the dose; Thomas was soon almost himself.
I blamed myself. I let my guard down and trusted other people to make judgement calls and decisions only I am qualified and experienced to make. When you have a special needs child you can’t look away for a second. No matter how old they are or where they are living. No one will advocate or care for your child the way that you do.
In our situation with Thomas living in a group home, there has to be a level of trust with the staff. His house has an open door policy. We can come and go see him as we please. We’ve made a few visits unannounced. Not to catch anyone off guard but because Thomas had asked us to bring him something.
This issue came to the forefront of my mind again this past week. I already annoyed at the powers that be where the disgraceful excuse of a doctor is employed, received a phone call. From the head of the physician who is head of the department. I verbally had it out with him. I did not curse; I did not hold back. I was dignified and verbally unleashed my anger. The previous exchange of my thoughts and anger was done via email. I know I exasperated this man. He threw in anything he could in an attempt to shift blame away from that physician. I caught on right away and called him out. Of course he denied doing so.
It has been years and years that I’ve experienced this anger. I’ve forgotten how much it takes out of you. And until the situation has been appropriately resolved there is only a thin, easily disturbed bandaid somewhat covering the fresh wound that has been exposed. There used to be a thicker scab that had grown over the would as it had healed from the early years. Scabs hurt when they are unexpectedly ripped off.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 