Disillusioned November 11, 2004
I’m beginning to think that I should have gone to medical school. After seeing Gross Anatomy in middle school I was sure that I wanted to become a doctor. I think a couple of things stopped me from pursuing that: I’ve always been squeamish around blood and especially needles, and more importantly, what I’ve always really wanted to do was become a mom of the stay at home variety. It’s kind of ironic that I’ve had to get over the whole blood/needle phobia in my quest to become a mother.
Anyway, my point is that I would really prefer to not have to rely on doctors so much. When I first started up with my RE, I really liked her. Now not so much. Part of that stems from the whole no mock transfer/transfer from hell situation, but it goes beyond that. She’s failed to help me. The same can be said about our vet. I really like her as a person, but I’m starting to doubt how much I like the whole veterinarian practice there. They haven’t helped my little guy get better.
It’s like you have so much hope that these doctors, who are viewed as so intelligent and all-knowing, will help you, will fix you, and then they don’t. I know they’re just people, but somehow I’ve hoped that they would be more, that they’d be able to work miracles or something. I don’t know. I guess I just don’t have as much faith in all of it.
Salvador is home. I picked him up yesterday afternoon. He is very glad to be back here, but he is not doing any better. He’s still throwing up bile and refusing to eat. I called the vet again this morning to discuss our options. I really want to give him more time at home. It’s obvious that nothing they’ve done there has really helped him. I know he’s more comfortable here, and hopefully I can get him feeling better at home. I tried to think of what the vet had done last time that she hadn’t done this time. The only thing I could think of was giving him antibiotics, so I asked her about starting him on those. I also wanted to give him some subq fluids at home, so he won’t get dehydrated. So, I picked up the antibiotic and the supplies for giving him fluids from the vet’s office this morning. I guess that’s one benefit of having to shoot up daily for IVF. There’s no way I would have felt comfortable sticking my cat with a needle pre IVF. So, we’ll just wait and see how he does. I really hope he gets better soon. I don’t want to have to bring him back to the kitty hospital, but will if I have to.
When I went to pick up the supplies the vet asked if I was comfortable giving him the subq fluids at home. I replied that my husband and I both have experience with sticking me with needles. She of course asked why, and I explained that we were doing IVF. I don’t have a problem with people knowing that, especially people that I know won’t require frequent updates on the situation. And then I got it, the “relax and it will happen” story. She told me how her mom had dealt with infertility for a long time and then got pregnant immediately after signing the adoption papers. She went on to talk about how infertility can sometimes be psychological. Don’t worry, I set her straight. I went on to explain the physical cause of our infertility. She was very nice about the whole situation, but it just amazes me how many people are stuck on these ignorant, uninformed notions about infertility.
So, I guess as much as I try to avoid people and the world at times, dealing with people lately has made it very apparent to me that my viewpoint has shifted a lot. Infertility and the medical treatment that comes with that has changed how I look at a lot of things, doctors included.
- Posted in : my furry children, various other ramblings
- Author : amanda
Comments»
I’m sorry to hear about your cat and hope he gets better. We give our cat sub-q’s 3x week for her kidney disease. My husband does the shots - like you he’s experienced after doing my injections. It takes two of us to do her fluids - he does the injection and holds her still while I keep an eye on the bag and flow control in case she wriggles and the needle comes out. Some advice I’ve received that may help you: warm the bag first in hot water; put the cat in an open box to help confine him. Because cats like routine, do the fluids at the same time of day and feed a treat afterward. Our bathroom has turned into a vet treatement room. A second cat has a problem with his paw and we’ve had to give him antibiotics and change his dressing. As I write this, he’s at the vet’s for a biopsy on the paw (could be cancer) and dental surgery. I’m beginning to think pet insurance isn’t such a bad idea afterall.
I am so sorry about your kitty. I really hope he gets better quickly!
So sorry your vet said that stuff to you of the “relax, it will happen” variety. How can a doctor be so naive? I know she is a vet, but still! Sorry you had to deal with that.
Ugggggh, the intersection of sick pet with jackass advice must have felt like a punch to the gut. I am sincerely sorry. And hoping Salvador improves at home.
Still hoping and praying Salvador starts feeling better. That is great he is home where he belongs.
I just can’t believe that a medical practitioner of any type would be so ridiculous as to give you the “just relax” speech. Amazing. Especially when you were saying you are doing IVF. Generally, when one gets to the IVF stage, “just relaxing” ain’t gonna cut it. That just makes me REALLY mad and sorry that you had to hear that.
-AmyY
Fuck. Seriously, would you ever tell someone with cancer to ditch the chemo and “just relax…”
Here’s to hoping Sal improves…soon!
Sorry to hear that you cat still isn’t doing better. I hope he will soon.
And sorry about that comment from your vet. I know that must have been annoying. Glad you explained it to him though. It’ll save another woman from hearing those words from him again.