06/11/2022
Intro:
We’ll be posting a couple of episodes sharing people’s personal experiences with doctors and this would include Good and Bad ones. The reason for this is so that people don’t take doctors judgment as the last and final resolution and if not satisfied to pay attention to your instincts and seek a second opinion. We as patients must understand that doctors are human and there are good and bad just like the rest of us.
Episode #1 (Bad Doctor):
We would like to begin our episode with a child. This child was a special one in that his energy was very different from his brother. He was always quiet, never spoke any words, even after 2 years of age. Child parents looked for professional help from his primary doctor, in which he always said to give the child time and that some kids have a delay before they begin talking. Even after many times the parents insisted that they suspect that their child might not be hearing or that there was something seriously wrong, as always, the doctor just brushed it off and told them the same answer.
Now another condition appeared on this child in that he would get dizzy and, in some situations, fall and you would see his face blue and pale. Of course, the parents were seriously concerned and they reported this to his primary doctor in which he diagnosed it as “Breath Holding Spell” (when a child holds their breath, usually after being angry, frustrated, startled, or in pain until they go unconscious). They trusted his judgment and looked for it the second time.
The second time it happened the child was playing outside and someone took his toy away, in which the child got mad and cried, and again got dizzy and fall again unresponsive. But this time the parents noticed that the child wasn’t holding his breath as the doctor hinted. As usually they reported this to the doctor and still he was firm on his decision that it’s “Breath Holding Spell”, even after advising him to take a closer look at him and to at least look at the situation more seriously.
Third time this occurred was when they went to the park and their child just collapsed in front of them, but this time was serious. The child prolonged in his coma and it looked like his soul was going in and out and because the child would wake up and go back to being unconscious. This time it was so serious that they had to call 911, and the parents give special thanks to the fire fighters, they were there first to arrive and they tried CPR and did their best. It was amazing that they were quicker than the ambulance. Moments later ambulance came and they actually had electric shock the child a few times. The mother until today still remembers how the ambulance just stayed on the side of the street shaking, and that’s when they notice they were giving him electric shock. Until today they thank God for the quick response from the fire men and the ambulance, otherwise he wouldn’t be alive and well today.
At the hospital they discovered that the child had a rare heart condition called Long QT. And in that case, they had to transfer their child to NYU Hospital to see a specialist there. Once they got there, they did confirm that their child does have Long QT and also discovered that his deaf. Furthermore, they discovered that patience’s with Long QT usually are deaf. So, they had to do an operation and install a defibrillator (an apparatus used to control heart fibrillation by application of an electric current to the chest wall or heart). And for his hearing they had to do an operation and install a “Cochlear Implant”. His heart doctor was surprised that their son survived three episodes of Long QT, and added that he was the first patience to endure it for so long without medical attention (thanks to his primary doctor for ignoring the signs which were very dangerous for our child).
Lesson to be learned here is that in most situation its best to follow your instincts and gut feelings. Sometimes what doctor say and what reality enforces on you are two different realities. We’re sure many people believe and trust doctors but we hope this story and the many to come will open people’s eyes and start analyze what doctors say. And not to lose hope, there are doctors out there that are passionate and honest in their field. And trust us, you will know who they are by the way they talk to you and by the way they respond to your questions and concerns. If a doctor brushes you away or does not give you a clarifying answer its best to leave them and search for another. In the end it’s your health and life that is on the line, so take care of your body and health because it’s a trust that has been given to you.
