MOMania

By momtoAlex&Max

January 6, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this

I think that when it comes to children’s medical care, there is usually a compromise. You can chose a single practicioner set up where the care is much more personlized, but usually slow or you can pick a multiple practicioner set up where is run more like a factory: less personalized care but more efficient.

I chose the large set-up. The keep excellent records, so whoever I see is informed about my child’s medical history. Not as personal maybe, but at least I don’t have to wait long. The practice I go to do give out sick appointment, but after 4pm is walk-in, first come first served. Even then, I only waited 1 hour.

Three hours is excessive. Also, in re:wait, most places have a sick waiting room and also an infant room. Then again, maybe this is more due to the large practice set-up.

By motherjanegoose

January 6, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this

Theresa…you nailed me on this one…great topic that I have no comments on, so I will check in later today….hahaha!

I had enough to say yesterday, especially trying to defend the ( so called easy) job of today’s teachers.

I appreciate the comments last night by Jeff and Kathy. Maybe others who know teachers can ask them personally if they agree that teaching is really such an easy job that anyone could do it LOL!

Perhaps some other teachers will let us know.

By Tig

January 6, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

I take my daughter to a ped practice that has more than one office location, so if I can’t get an appointment at one, I can get her into the other one. If I schedule an appointment out, it might take a few months to get her in for a checkup, but when she’s been sick I’ve always gotten a same day appointment and even then no more than a 30-45 minute wait even when they’re busy.

By JJ

January 6, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

I NEVER waited more than 5 minutes to see our Ped. He was the best Doctor. He attended when my daughter was born, and saw her all the up until he retired last summer. He took time to talk to you and your child, in terms you could understand. Heck half the time I called his office, HE answered the phone. I really miss him.

He was the best!!!!

By SJ

January 6, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

I spent 5 years sitting in a pediatrician’s office, often waiting more than 2 hours to see a doctor, even after making an appointment. This was a large Snellville practice, and we rarely got to see the same doctor. I finally got fed up and went to a practice in Lawrenceville that was recommended by a nurse friend.

There are three doctors. They make sick appointments. I have very rarely had to wait more than 30 minutes, and the doctors are fantastic. The support staff is as well.

The knew my children and me better in 3 months than the other practice did after 5 years. It is a 20 - 25 minute drive for me, but I will never switch again. I’m only mad that it took me as long as it did to get fed up with the first practice.

Three hours with sick kids is too much. I think you should consider changing.

By new mom

January 6, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

Morning all!

I have never had to wait longer then 10 minutes in a waiting room to see our pediatrician. We found this group of three doctors when I was pregnant by asking lots of moms I know, especially some nurse friends. For the first six months we rotated between them so both my daughter and I could get to know them, and find out which one is best.

We have settled one one that we see for all our well checkups, but now are familar enough with all for any sick visits we have.

This practice makes appointments for sick visits, and is very respectful of our time. They have Saturday morning sick-only hours, and the nurse advice line has been a lifesaver (and sanity saver) many times! Can you tell I love our pediatricians? :)

Oh, they also have a little ‘breastfeeding’ room which I used several times when our girl was freshly hatched, not to breastfeed, but I when I would take her in for a “sick” visit, but didn’t want to sit in the “sick” waiting room and expose her to more germs. And they have a lactation consultant on staff too, she worked with me our first week to ensure our little one was getting all she needed from breastfeeding. Again, a lifesaver!

By new mom

January 6, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this

SJ, I would bet we go to the same practice! ;)

By Stacey

January 6, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this

I always try to either get the first appointment of the day or the first appointment after lunch with my son’s pediatrician. He does take appointments but he also allows walk-ins for sick visits. I can only think of a couple of occasions that I was unable to be seen same day or 1st thing the next day and those were times were there was something going around and the whole school was sick.

I had thought of changing his doctor last year because it had reached the point where he was always double booked so it wasn’t unusual to wait an hour, even with an appointment. The receptionist told me that a couple of practices in the area no longer took Medicaid so they had gotten an influx of patients from other practices. I had thought of changing doctors since I have private insurance but didn’t because my son really loves his doctor and that is important to me. A few months ago a nurse practitioner joined the practice to handle “well” visits and the doctor pretty much concentrates on sick patients.

By Numbers Guy

January 6, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

I won’t wait three hours for a doctor to see me, much less a sick kid who’s miserable and unable to deal with it. Lose him.

By Jeff

January 6, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this

No experience with peds as a parent, obviously, but as a kid I went to the same doc from basically birth until it was time to get an adult doc. In fact, he was the ONLY regular doc I’ve ever had other than my orthopedic surgeon doc.

I don’t remember ever waiting overly long for this doc, though he did change buildings every few years. (Started out on the opposite side of town from the hospital, wound up in the various buildings within the hospital complex.) From a kid’s point of view, I always thought of him as a good doc, though I don’t have enough memories to make a judgement from an adult POV. (My mom was not exactly one to take the kids to the doc at the first sniffle. In fact, we had to be dang near dead - or at least it felt like it!)

By Bev

January 6, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

SJ & New Mom - you two are describing the practice I used to go to in - two female doctors & 1 male - we moved a little over two years ago and although I like our new doctors they still don’t match up to Dr. M.!

By Bev

January 6, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

SJ & New Mom - you two are describing the practice I used to go to in - two female doctors & 1 male - we moved a little over two years ago and although I like our new doctors they still don’t match up to Dr. M.!

By new mom

January 6, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

Yep Bev, you are right (at least with me!) Dr. M is our favorite! :)

By DB

January 6, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this

I loved our pediatrician, but he retired when my kids were 9 and 11. I stayed with the practice, but in retrospect, I wish I hadn’t. Their patient management skills were horrible. They used to have “walk ins” at 8 AM and again at 3 PM, and ok, yeah, you get in line, but you could make an appointment if you wanted to between 9 and 3. Then they went to all appointments only, and it’s been a nightmare. Well visits can take up to two hours, with about 10 minutes of face time with the doctor. As I told the nurse, “why have appointments — I’ve NEVER been taken on time.” I get the same “oh, there was an emergency” (duh, their a doctor, no kidding), but one year, I finally let rip at the doctor when they came breezing in 2.5 hours past our appointment time. Now the kids go to an “adult” doctor, and that goes much better. But there is NOTHING worse than being trapped in one of those overheated waiting rooms with multiple squirming kids.

By Stacey

January 6, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this

I had asked around and got recommendations for pediatricians but my son was a preemie and his doctor was the only neonatalogist on our insurance plan. We had fallen in love with the neonatalogist who treated him in the NICU and even though his office was 20 miles away, we wanted to see him but he wasn’t on our plan either. We grew to love this doctor and his staff as well but as first time parents of a preemie, we definitely got to know them well. :-)His office has separate waiting rooms for sick patients and well patients but for the first few months they always had us wait in the physician’s (personal) office instead of the “well” room. Newborns use the well room even if they are there for sick visits (I assume because their immune systems are weak).

By SJ

January 6, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

Bev and New Mom,

Yes, same practice for me as well. We see Dr. L and LOVE her. She has helped my children so much. It has honestly been life-changing versus our former doctors. We have also seen Dr. M and love him, too. You could not pay me to change. SJ

By new mom

January 6, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

Yep, Dr. L and D. S are both great too. All three doctors spend as much time as you need, answer each question patiently (without making you feel stupid!) and yet we have never had to wait longer then 10 minutes for any appointment. I think that also says something about their office staff, to be able to schedule so many people at the right intervals! Oh, the nurses all are so loving too…OK, I’ll shut up about them now…

By Bev

January 6, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

The one upside to me switching from that practice was the doctor’s had admitting rights to Northside where I delivered my second child so it was nice to get information from a familiar face! I do miss everyone at that practice - I even waited several months before switching practices but it was not practical during sick times to try to drive 45 minutes to 1 hour to get over there when our new office is 2 minutes from the house!

Our current practice has a fairly large waiting room and has completely separate entrances for sick/well visits. I haven’t waited in the car - mainly because there’s never been that long of a wait. We do make sick appointments - of course when our youngest (16 mos) had an ear infection popping up the day before New Year’s eve late in the afternoon, they didn’t have any appointments available at the closest office but offered one at their other offices. The well visits don’t seem rushed - in fact the main doctor we see let’s my older daughter “help” with the younger one - she was even allowed to hold the otoscope & stethescope for him.

By motherjanegoose

January 6, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

My comment yesterday has come back to bite me in the butt…LOL.

I was heading out to work at Kindergarten and my 2007 American Chevy with 36,000 miles on it will not start. The lights are working, so it does not appear to be the battery.
Guess I should have stuck with an import…we will see!

By DYJ

January 6, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

3 hours is too much. This same scenario happened to a friend and she finally switched after sitting several times (even with an appointment!) for hours. We adore our Pediatrician and the whole practice (all women, all mothers, all helpful). They accept same day sick appointments and the longest we have waited is maybe 20 minutes. Plus, they have a very helpful nurse-line. We have gotten calls back within 90 minutes. There are lots of good Ped’s out there with better business management skills. Don’t accept that type of service.

By Numbers Guy

January 6, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

MGJ - does it turn over at all? Sometimes dirty battery terminals will lead to lights and horn working, but won’t conduct enough juice to turn the engine over. Easily fixed with a socket or open end wrench and a toothbrush.

By Brooke

January 6, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this

Totally off-topic, but I know that there are teachers and ex-teachers out there. How do I get into it? I am currently an Accountant and I want to change to actually help people and not the bottom line. Thanks!

By new mom

January 6, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

Brooke, that is so admirable! But speaking as an ex-teacher who got out after one year, you might want to seriously talk to some teachers first to make sure that the career jump is right for you.

I thought I was going to help kids too, and I suppose I did, but there’s still a “bottom line” that motivates administrations—test scores, which equate to money.
I’m not trying to discourage you, but I know it sounds like it!

I went back to teaching after working in the corporate world for 7 years after college, so I knew what life was like outside the schools. Most other first-year teachers just accepted the treatment we received from the administration, but it was hard for me to accept after working for corporate bosses.
I guess all I’m saying is that it was a difficult transition for me, and I was not prepared for the burecrats in the administration. Principals got annoyed when we wouldn’t check our emails—while we were supposed to be teaching!

When I decided not to sign my contract for the following year, the teachers who had been encouraging me up to that point all pulled me aside privately and whispered ‘you are doing the right thing by getting out while you can, before you have too much of your career invested here’.

By motherjanegoose

January 6, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this

Thanks numbers guy….no turning over at all. The lights and all electronics go crazy and flick on and off. I thought I was going to lock myself inside the car: yikes! My husband is quite handy and should be able to solve the problem, he wants to test the battery first ( with a meter) and then go from there. He asked me if he should come home and I thanked him and told him not to….I have another day off…no pay…LOL>

I bought this car 18 mths ago because my Mazda had 65,000 miles on it and I did not want to head out to a car that would not start…hahaha!

Brooke, I would think your first bet would be to check in with a college that offers an education program and see what exactly you have and what you need to get certified. You may be able to teach accounting in a junior college..anyone else have an idea?

By new mom

January 6, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this

MJG, that’s a good idea about teaching accounting in a junior college setting. I know a couple of teachers who teach in community colleges and LOVE it!

And I’m sorry if I came across as bitter about teaching…there’s just a lot of behind the scenes that most non-teachers never see. Like you’ve said, MJG, if parents could only spend a day seeing what teachers go through….

By Jeff

January 6, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this

Brooke:

Short answer: STAY THE HADES AWAY FROM TEACHING!!!

Longer answer: Teresa, think we can have a topic about these types pf things someday? I’ll be glad to help in any way I can.

By jct

January 6, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this

Three hours is too long to wait for any doctor appointment. For any doctor appointment, I won’t wait more than 30 minutes. If I am walking in sick my max wait is one hour (not that this has happened. All of our doctor’s are timely and great at what they do.)

By Jeff

January 6, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

Brooke:

A brief reason for my short answer:

I went to an alternative school while a HS student (one you get sent to, not one you choose to go to), so I thought I had seen it all and nothing could phase me.

And then I went into a public school as a teacher and realized I hadn’t seen ANYTHING at the alternative school compared to what I was seeing in my classroom.

I’ve had students stand across my desk from me and threaten to kill me, I’ve had students spit in my face, I’ve had students physically assault me - one memorable assault actually drew blood from my arm - and through all of this administration put the blame on ME.

I left teaching 2 years ago (almost to the day, interestingly enough), and haven’t seriously looked back. (On those RARE occassions when I do think about going back, I just have to think about everything I endured the first time and know that it AINT worth it.)

By new mom

January 6, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this

Back to the pediatrician topic:

We (including myself) have all been talking about the wait times, but there’s something else that we need to remember.

Anyone ever watch Mystery Diagnosis on Discovery Health channel? Scary…there are so many stories of people whose doctors ignore or misdiagnose their symptoms, treat them for the wrong things, and they end up FINALLY finding a doctor who will listen. The moral of these episodes is always “be your own advocate” and not blindly trust doctors. They might work hard and mean well, but they see so many patients, and are sometimes quick to diagnose what’s commonly going around.

One episode was about a baby who they contined to diagnose with acid reflux who nearly died from some rare genetic disorder…another young woman was diagnosed with pnemonia for 2 years before someone finally did a chest x-ray and discovered a tumor the size of a football and realized she had hodgkins lymphoma!

Not to scare anyone, but we need to find doctors who care, listen, and work as hard to diagnose symptoms as we expect them to. :)

By motherjanegoose

January 6, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this

Gee Jeff, are we talking about the cushy not real job of teaching that was mentioned yesterday….LOL?

Anyone want to know what a big part of the problem is with the children in classrooms today and why so many teachers are burned out? PARENTS

Richard Funderburke said it correctly in yesterday’s AJC letters to the editor:

“…the most important ingredient of a successful student and school system- parents who adamantly insist, loudly or quietly, that their children respect both themselves and their teachers by accepting the discipline that is necessary for getting an education…” Kudos Richard!

By new mom

January 6, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

MJG—what a profound quote. I didn’t realize anyone believed such things anymore!

During my one (and only!) year of teaching, I had two types of parents: one group who nit-picked every thing I did (ie- a mother who complained to the principal that I rolled my eyes at her precious daughter—I probably did, I didn’t remember! I had a room full of 5th grade girls!) And the other group of parents never responded to my repeated notes home, calls, anything…but then showed up to complain that their kids were failing. One parent even tried to say his son’s F was “my F”. I couldn’t (and wouldn’t) do the children’s and parents’ jobs for them.

So yes, basically parents, as a whole, are not teaching their kids to respect authority when they show disrespect to the teachers, in front of their kids.

By Penguinmom

January 6, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this

We rarely wait more than 15 minutes because we make a sick appointment. If they do not have an appointment available, they will do a ‘work-in’ and, on those occasions, I have waited up to an hour, but I knew ahead of time that they were busy and planned accordingly.

We use Kaiser-Gwinnett and LOVE it. My kids have had the same nurse practitioner since my son was born almost 13 years ago. When they are sick though, I just take whatever doctor is available. I have always been pleased with the time they spend on my kids and their caring attitude. All of the records are computerized so every doctor we see has access to all of the records on that particular patient.

By Joyce

January 6, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this

I agree with new mom. We all need to be our own (and our children’s) advocate in the doctor’s office. I think that goal can be accomplished without a 3-hr. wait. That just sounds like a poorly-organized office. My mom has a good friend that goes with her to her appts and my mom goes with her friend to be the dispassionate 3rd party to make notes and ask the questions that the patient may not think of. My son is as healthy as a stable full of horses with no special circumstances, so I take him to a large group in Gwinnett. We’ve seen 2-3 different docs and I’ve been pretty satisfied so far. We’ve only had to wait 1 hr. max. Once when he was screaming in pain late in the afternoon. They asked “How quickly can you get here?” when I called @ 4:30. They saw us about 10 min after we arrived. Luckily it wasn’t anything serious, AND I could find that out fairly quickly.

By JJ

January 6, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this

I took my kid to a sports doctor, and we waited over 2 hours to be seen. I was livid.

Our appointment was on a Friday at 4:30. We got there at 4:15 (as requested), and waited until 5:00 to be taken to the exam room. We waited in there for 45 minutes. At 5:45, I left the room, and found a nurse, and proceeded to ask why, when we were the ONLY Ones there, was I waiting for over an hour? She informed me there were other patients, and some require more time with the doctor than others. I informed her that all the exam doors were open, and NO ONE was there, except us. What I didn’t know, was the doctor was right around the corner and could hear me complaining.

I went back into the exam room, and we waited another 15 minutes. FINALLY, at 6:00 the arrogant Doctor walked in. He took attitude with me, and was VERY rude.

After we spent a whole 5 minutes with the doctor, who talked way above my head and used the biggest medical terms he could, I walked to the receptionist, demanded my daughter’s MRI’s, and we left.

We found another sports doctor, who ironically, knew of the other doctor, and said he has had more people complain about the other doctor, but he liked it because everyone was going to see him!!!!

Dr. Mark Cullen on Sugarloaf Parkway. WORST DOCTOR I HAVE EVER MET.

By Lynn

January 6, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this

Theresa, this is a recurrent issue for me. 1 to 2 hour waits are common at our pediatrician office and it can stretch into the 3 hour range. This is with appointments in a large practice. I have gone so far as to send letters suggesting scheduling alternatives, coverage by physicians who are off that day, etc. I think it boils down to a disrespect for our time. If it happened every once in a while, I would understand, but it is a large practice,and we now expect at least an hour wait any time of year.

We love the practice head, but hate the waits. After 18 years it’s hard to change, but I have seriously considered changing several times. We just don’t have many alternatives in my area.

By lwa

January 6, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

Three hours is just to long…..

My current pediatrician has appt. for sick patients and leaves lots of room in the schedule. Actually, no well visits except for infants b/c of shots, are scheduled during dec/jan/feb to allow room for sick patients. In the summer, they leave plenty of room for back to school exams/physicals

By b

January 6, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this

Long waits at the pediatrician office is why we changed to a Family Practice office. It is large, but they also have Nurse Practicioners so for a sick visit we see someone the same day with virtually no wait. An appointment with our preferred physician is usually not hard to get if it is not an emergency and they tirage the calls well. Also, the nurses are great about follow-up calls as are the NPs.

I also found that when we had to go to a pediatric specialist and we have seen many, the wait times were bad, also. The neurologist was usually 30 minutes, the pulmonologist at a minimum 30 but could be more, but Dr V in Lawrenceville-a cardiologist was on time. The pulmonologist solved the problem by opening up teenage hours in the evening which was great.

Also, for routine immunizations, etc. go to the Health Dept. It is less expensive and usually we don’t have any waiting time.

By Patiently Waiting

January 6, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this

I’m back! (if you missed me).

Seeing that I have only taken my child to 2 pediatrician appointments (1 well, 1 sick), I haven’t had a problem with wait times. I do go to a fairly large practice though. I refuse to go to providers that don’t respect others time. I would change providers.

By JJ

January 6, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this

With all the doctors I have seen in 2007, I have not had a single problem with waiting, other than my daughter’s sports doctor.

At the surgeon’s office, I waited maybe 15 minutes. At the Internist’s office, 5 minutes.

The longest wait time I had, was at the Pre-Opp appointment at the Hospital. That took 2 hours, but I wasn’t sitting around waiting. You are shuffled from room to room. One room for your financial appointment, and then you go see the nurses.

What kills me about most doctors offices, is they ask you to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out the paperwork. HUH? SO that’s an additional 15 minutes you have to sit around.

How can anyone expect a child (sick or well) to sit for two to three hours in a tiny waiting room? Especially the little ones…

By motherjanegoose

January 6, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

patiently waiting…wow I had to scratch my head to figure out who you were. WELCOME BACK. Did I miss the baby’s arrival and do you have a boy or girl? congrats!!!!

By Kathy

January 6, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

I take Little E to a large practice in Snellville and I want to shoot myself everytime we go!!! She is not sick very often, but when I do have to take her, we usually wait no less than an hour. Every time I say that I am going right home to find a new doc, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the NP that is in the practice. Her name is Beth and my daughter loves her and Beth is used to all the quirkiness my daughter possesses. I try hard not to take her on Monday mornings or Friday afternoons (those seem to be the busiest times).

Brooke…..North Georgia College and State University has an excellent education program. Also I have heard that GA Gwinnett College will be opening up their School of Education in Fall 2010.

newmom….will you get my email from MJG? I want to ask you about the doctor you use….I think you live near me. : )

By cofthenight

January 6, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this

We go to a large practice in Snellville. (I’m guessing it might be the same one as Kathy just mentioned? With Nurse Beth…) Anyhoo… I haven’t had too many complaints with them. They are usually pretty crowded, but my waits have never seemed unreasonable, appt. or none. Theresa… I think that’s AWESOME that they let you wait outside and call your cell… I’m gonna think about asking that, haha! Because you KNOW they aren’t out there cleaning the waiting room chairs and tables like they should! And I use that hand-gel like crazy WHILE we’re there, WHILE we’re in the exam room, BEFORE we leave… and when we get in the car, too!!!

By phr

January 6, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

Theresa, I’m right there with you. The last few visits to the pediatrician have been long waits. I actually got fed up and went to another pediatrician at one point, but I didn’t like the doctor so I ended up back with the original. I actually love my son’s pediatrician, but I can’t stand to wait. Her office isn’t even convenient. I have to go about 30 minutes out of the way. I’m probably going to try another one. I think it is completely irresponsible to have the practice that overcrowded.

I have actually taken my son to my doctor’s office a few times when he needed antibiotics. I can get him in there without a problem.

By Patiently Waiting

January 6, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

Mother jane goose, I finally had my baby boy 1 week late. Still trying to adjust to his schedule which he likes to change up on me when I think I have it down. Unfortunately, he has a cold (the entire house is sick) so there isn’t much sleep happening over here.

By There are choices

January 6, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

The Atlanta area has many choices for good healthcare. Ask your neighbors and friends. When I was looking for a new pediatric practice, the one I chose was the one 3 different friends named.

Three hours is too long to wait with sick kids. Don’t you have better things to do? You’re asking if you should change? To me, the answer is apparent. Put your sentimentality aside and put your kids first.

By Kat

January 6, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this

New Mom: Let’s see, she has a sick infant but lets her germy baby go where the (probably) healthy infants go to breastfeed with their moms, instead of staying in the sick area that is designed for SICK kids. Nice - thanks for the germs. Try to treat others as you’d like to be treated. Moron!

By Mo's mom

January 6, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

Sandy Springs Pediatrics has the best doctors and staff around. Dr. Wells-Jarrett has been my son’s ped since the day he was born 6 years ago. They have sick appointments and Saturday hours (which is the BEST!)

www.sspediatrics.com

By motherjanegoose

January 6, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this

Patiently waiting…I know you are exhausted but spring will be here soon ( feels like it today) and you can enjoy long stroller walks with your darling boy, as he looks about to observe everything for the first time.

I remember my son toddling to me with a mouth stuffed full of rolly pollies ( the insects) he thought they looked like something to eat and we were out in the fenced yard together, I was working in the flower beds…about gave me a heart attack.

My baby boy is now 21 and I cannot believe how the time has flown. I enjoy his company as an adult and he knows so many things that I haven’t a clue about!

My baby girl is 16 and just found out she got 5 A’s and 1 B for last semester. She was all over the map with her classes but buckled down at the end and I am proud of her. Take care!

By JJ

January 6, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

Patiently Waiting Congratulations on the arrival of the little one. I hope all went well with the delivery and you have a healthy bouncing baby.

Is this your first? If so, we have a TON of advice for you!!!!!

My first piece of advice is to take pictures!!!! Take ALOT of pictures. Babies change every single day. They grow up way to fast too, so enjoy each and every moment you have!!!!! You will blink and they will be on their way to college and you wonder what happened to the last 18 years (and how you survived? ha ha)

But most of all, love him like you have loved no other. You will be amazed how your entire life will change. Things that were so important before him, are now insignificant.

Good luck to you, and if you need any advice, ask your Mom. That’s what my doctor told me after I had my baby. Your mom did a decent job of raising you, so she knows what she is doing.

By new mom

January 6, 2009 3:18 PM | Link to this

Kat—I failed to mention that the reason I would bring my infant to wait in a breastfeeding room was to keep her away from germs when she was highly suseptible—and the reasons we were there were because of her acid reflux, not anything contagious.

And it was the office staff’s recommendation that we use the room in the first place. But that was a very rude post, I have to say. Instead of name calling, why not ask if my baby was contagious? Not every “sick” visit is because someone is contagious…

Hi Kathy—yes by all means, email me via MJG! I’d love to chat :)

And patiently waiting, Congratulations! I had assumed you were out having a baby…Glad it all went well!

By JJ

January 6, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this

Kat I don’t appreciate you attacking NewMom. There is absolutely NO need for your nastiness or name calling.

Yes you are free to post on a blog and express your opinions, but you don’t need to come here and start with the name calling to a regular poster.

I don’t normally react to posts like yours, because I have learned there are nasty people who have nothing better to do than critize others. However, NewMom is a cyber friend of mine, and I will go up to bat for her.

Have a nice day.

By new mom

January 6, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this

Aww, JJ, that was sweet! You’re my cyberfriend too :)

I have learned that 1) sometimes I leave out part of my stories that help them make sense, and 2) there are just those people in the world who are always looking for a fight, and any reason to be angry and offended. That’s no way to live your life, if you ask me…but it’s a free country!

By JJ

January 6, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this

Thank you.

If there’s one thing I can tell you about myself, I’m very loyal to my family and friends (Cyber friends included). I’ll be the first one to go to bat for someone if I don’t like something or the way someone is treated.

Life is so short, there is just no time for nastiness.

Kat Go out there, and smile at three strangers, and see what happens.

By Kat

January 6, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this

new mom: why not keep your child out of the healthy baby areas? Either you are sick or its a well visit. It’s a rather simple distinction.

By Becky

January 6, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this

Patiently Waiting, congrats on the new one..Yes, takes lots of pictures as JJ said..In the blink of an eye, they are walking away, leaving you to wonder how did they grow up so fast without me realizing it..

Never be afraid to tell them that you love them, no matter how old they are..Never yell at them in anger, they never forget..

Above all, enjoy being a Mom at all times..

By DB

January 6, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this

Mo’s Mom, actually, the practice I was complaining about in my earlier post IS Sandy Springs Pediatrics. After going there for 19 years, I had a problem with one bill and asked to see the billing manager to make payment arrangements. She said, “We only do that for established patients” — I responded, “I’ve been coming here for 16 years — just what do you consider “established”? How is THAT for personal service? Grr! The killer was one well visit — scheduled three months in advance — that took THREE AND A HALF HOURS. We arrived at 1:00 pm and didn’t get out until 4:30. We didn’t get called back until almost 2:00, and I heard the nurses talking about the doctor “are they back from that luncheon, yet?” When they showed us to the exam room, the same nurse said, “Oh, the doctor’s running a little late, they had an emergency at the hospital”, and I glared at her and said, “I heard you talking about the luncheon.” She had the grace to blush. Once we got called back, the nurse did a few preliminaries, and then we sat for another 45 minutes. So by this time, it’s 3:00. Doctor wanders in, spent about 10 minutes, ordered some blood work. Lab was busy. Waited and waited for the lab to get around to drawing a blood sample. At 3:45, I went and cornered a nurse and explained what was going on. Lab test request lost … and on and on. The thing is, no one seemed particularly surprised that things were going as they were.

By new mom

January 6, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this

Kat, this is bordering on silly…the office staff recommended I use that room, we did, we weren’t contagious, and I’m just not sure why you are so worried about it.

By Kat

January 6, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this

How do you know you weren’t contagious BEFORE you met with the doctor?

By new mom

January 6, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure how much longer I want to play this little game, but here we go…Contagious spit up?? Pediatricians’ offices see babies and children all day long, and if they suggest (based on symptoms I provide) that I can use a certain room, then I will. Perhaps they looked at me and realized that this sleep-deprived woman needed a quiet place to sit. Maybe they wanted her quiet baby to stay quiet. Who knows…but next time I’ll check with you before I go in that room, OK?

Patiently waiting, I hope you enjoy your new baby boy! Like others said, he will grow up so fast. I heard that often when our little one was born, and I really didn’t fully understand it until she was about six months old. When you look back at pictures and realize you can’t hardly recognize them…

Another suggestion, in addition to taking a lot of pictures, is to make sure you back them up regularly on something external to your computer (we use a small external hard drive, they are relatively inexpensive now) You can also periodically burn them to CDs and put them in a safe deposit box.
I know that might sound like overkill and a lot of trouble, but if your computer crashes, you will be so happy you have your pictures safe. I wouldn’t trade our pictures for a million dollars. :)

By flwrgrl

January 6, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this

My ped practice stopped giving appt. times for sick visits after my second son was born, and it seemed no matter what time I went in, I would wait for 2 hours. So I started timing my arrival to the last possible minute that they accepted walk-ins; i.e., if before lunch, I would arrive at 11:45, if afternoon, I would arrive about 4:00. It was amazing how they always managed to get us out of there by 12:30 so they could go to lunch, or by 5:00 so they could leave for the day!!

By STYLE NETWORK

January 7, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

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By Michelle

January 8, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this

I would love to hear about the practice in Lville that everyone loves. (can anyone help me out?) I’ve been in GA for 4 1/2 years and haven’t found a pediatrician that I really like (yet). I used to work an hour from home, but not anymore! I live in Dacula and our current MD is in Hamilton Mill.

To the original posting question: 3 hours is RIDICULOUS! If the practice is not entirely walk-in, that type of wait is unacceptable, especially with a sick child! If they have a sick child appointment, they should try their best to keep the appointment. I agree with many of the others who state that their time is just as valuable as the doctor’s.

I don’t remember who up there said it, but you have to find a doctor that you are comfortable with, and that includes ALL aspects of the practice, not just the MD. And, just my own personal though, I like a physician who isn’t “Brand new” but not practicing for 30 years and has always done things “that way.” I like to know that my doctor is open to new technology, treatment, and medical concepts!

Kat-if I remember correctly, new-mom had a preemie…preemies have a very difficult time learing to eat, digesting, etc. I’m certain that whomever she spoke with at her MD office KNOWS her childs history and therefor directed her to an appropriate area for them! There is really no reason to be so judgemental about someone that you don’t really know anything about.

By new mom

January 8, 2009 5:58 PM | Link to this

Hey Michelle, that was nice to stick up for me! ;) Our girl wasn’t a preemie, in fact she tried to stay in as long as possible (another story for another day!) We did frequent the doctor for her tummy issues though, between multiple weigh-ins in her first couple of weeks, working with the lactation consultant, and then her acid reflux, they pretty much recognized us and always suggested that room so we would be most comfortable.

OK, I’m about to ‘out’ our pediatrician for you! The practice is “Pediatric Associates of Lawrenceville”. And they are stellar. :)

By Michelle

January 9, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

Thank you very much! Well, I know how you feel about staying in as long as possible! My son was 10 days late! After being induced and 22 hours of labor, the FINALLY did a c-section. He still does things on his own time today (he’s almost 6)!

By Pediatric Nurse

January 9, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this

Just for the record, I work in a busy pediatric office with a single doctor, and there are many factors which could contribute to a 2-3 hour wait time. It is not normal for a long wait like that but often during flu season; or on a Monday; or after a holiday there are many patients needing to see the doctor. Some of these patients come in for serious issues; while others come in simply for a runny nose and a slight cough (when there is not much in the first place to help with that).

We like our patients to call before they come but most often times, this does not happen.

We do our best to see everyone that is sick or injured on a walk-in basis. Also, due to the strict guidelines of the various HMO & CMO insurance companies, we are required to perform check-ups at certain ages as mandated by these insurance companies. Therefore, our appointment book is full for these scheduled visits. We do not turn our patients away who are sick or injured simply because our appointment book is full. We work in everyone that needs to be seen.

There have been many days that we have been here until well after 7 pm when we close at 5 pm.

The doctor and office staff are human, too. One morning within the past week, one of our staff had to go to the ER for a medical emergency that occurred while she was getting ready to come to work. Another one of our staff was in a class given at the hospital, and a couple of more were out on vacation. There are also issues within the lives of many of our staff members, such as one has a parent that has a terminal illness and often requires her attention at a moments notice. Another one is going through serious marital problems with 2 children involved.

In other words, we are human and have things that come up also that affect us being at work; which in turn could add to the wait time at the doctor’s office.

The doctor is also late some days getting started due to the fact that he has to go to the hospital to check on new babies before he comes to the office. When he gets to the hospital, sometimes it turns out to be 3 or 4 babies to check instead of one. In the meantime, the office staff are filling up the rooms so that as soon as the doctor arrives he can go right to work, even though he has been working for a while already at the hospital.

As a staff member, we also don’t like the long waits. This often makes for grumpy patients and parents, who sometimes take out this frustration on the staff and/or doctor.

Sometimes we have medical emergencies in the office that require the majority of the staffs attention, or possibly calling 911.

The bottom line is that we do CARE for our patients; and the doctor is the best in the area. We have patients drive well over 50 miles to our office for their checkups. We have older patients that wish they could continue to see this doctor instead of moving on to an “adult” doctor. The doctor I work for knows all of his patients by name and knows their medical history. He takes most of his own calls after hours and calls the patient back ASAP. He is well loved by so many, young and old alike; and deserves the utmost respect from his staff, and from his many, many patients.

I agree that a 2-3 hour wait is tough for all concerned. This is not our “normal” wait time. But, please consider that SOMETIMES there are extenuating circumstances involved. Please DO call your doctor before going in to the office.