American Academy of Pediatrics Features the Hugs for Brady Foundation in their Spring 2015 “New Jersey Pediatrics” Magazine. This was the first time they have featured a story from a mom’s perspective.
Read the article below.
FAMILY VOICE Speaking to Families: Suggestions from the Founders of the Hugs for Brady Foundation Even as a young girl, becoming a mom and having a career helping kids were my biggest aspirations. At 36-years old, I became pregnant with our son, Brady. He was born on August 21, 2008, and was perfectly healthy in every way. Similarly to other first-time parents, my husband Michael and I read all we could about how to raise a well-mannered child. We devoured information on everything from spreading out vaccinations to administering CPR for infants and everything in between. We were prepared for anything, or so we thought. Shortly after Brady’s first birthday, he woke up one morning with a swollen right eye that was red like a bull frog. My husband Michael and I were concerned that he came in contact with a piece of insulation or something and rubbed his eye, irritating it to the point of being swollen. I immediately drove Brady to the pediatrician’s office. His doctor said that the eye looked fine, but just to be on the safe side, suggested I take him to the ER at RWJ-BMSCH. Upon arrival, Brady spiked a fever of nearly 104 degrees and as a result was admitted. On day six, with the fever still extraordinarily high, we were told to prepare for the worst. Michael and I were informed that Brady was unlikely to make it through the night and that we should say our good byes to him. On day seven, after surviving the night, the doctors performed a bone marrow biopsy. Later that same day, the oncologist delivered the news, our baby has cancer. My husband and I went in polar opposite directions. He was devastated and couldn’t catch his breath. I on the other hand was relieved; we finally had a diagnosis so now we could start treating the problem. After all, in my naive world, only a handful of kids got cancer, and nearly all of them were cured. Optimism was my only hope in getting through this battle, and I don’t use the word battle lightly. One thing that Michael and I were very grateful for was the daily support, concern, and compassion from Brady’s pediatrician. I personally believe that my kids had and continue to have a GREAT pediatrician. So what makes a good pediatrician great in the eyes of a parent you ask? Here are some simple suggestions that might answer that question.
- Wash your hands in front of the patients. If they don’t see you wash your hands, it did not happen!
- Don’t dismiss “overly concerned parents.” Answer their questions until they are satisfied and fully understand. Remember, they don’t have the seven years of medical training that you do!
- Don’t be offended or dismissive if or when a parent questions your decisions. While parents mean well, few fully understand the dangers of searching the internet for answers.
- Be truthful to the parents. Try not to scare them, but don’t sugar coat it either. Let the parents know your full plans for treating their child.
- If your patient has a serious illness, do the right thing; consider providing the parents with your personal cell phone number and email address. Let them know they can email or text you 24/7. While they probably won’t, it is comforting for us to know you care, you understand our concerns and that you are accessible, if the need arises.
- If a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital, I beg you to put the parent’s minds at ease by being in constant contact with the treating physician at the hospital. The parents know you and trust you, but are scared to death when a ”new” doctor, no matter how qualified, enters the picture.
- Remind parents that they are their children’s best advocates. Encourage them to speak up when they don’t fully understand your answers to their questions. Let them know it is perfectly acceptable to ask for a second opinion if they’re uncomfortable or their gut is just telling them something is wrong. A parent’s instinct should not be dismissed as being non-scientific or worthless.
- When a child needs to have blood drawn, please request a phlebotomist that is very experienced in drawing blood from children of a similar age.
- For any scary event, make sure that a child life specialist is present to ensure the “happiest” outcome by distracting the child with singing, blowing bubbles, or any other diversion technique.
- God forbid your child needs anesthesia, never allow an anesthesiologist to place a gas mask directly on the child without first reviewing exactly what is going to happen. And, if the child already has an IV line, insist that they first administer Propofol.
For more information on the American Academy of Pediatrics – New Jersey Chapter, visit their website HERE.