Healthcare has changed for the better since in 70's. To give you an example, let's compare when I broke my arm in 1972 and when my son broke his wrist this week.
Me
- Break arm running back to house (compound fracture)
- Run into house screaming
- Mother breaks into hysterics. Father tells me to stop crying
- Drive to clinic to see family doctor. 40 minute drive
- Dr. comes out (with cigarette in firmly in lips) and looks at broken arm.
- Dr. reduces broken arm on site. No pain medication to mention. Dad tells me to stop crying.
- Doctor bandages arm and places in cast. Cigarette did not leave his lips.
- Went home and got a milkshake.
My son's school called me around lunch this past Tuesday. "Your son hurt himself on the playground again - but it seems serious this time", they said in a supporting but concerned voice over the phone. "I'll be right there", I replied. When I got there, I knew we were going to visit a clinic immediately. His wrist was swollen and he was definitely in pain.
I first called his pediatrician. Got a voicemail they would be out until 1:30 (it was 12:15). That wasn't going to do. I remembered there was a pediatric urgent care nearby. It was the Pediatric Express. We got right in. They gave him some drugs that helped with the pain, took 3 x-rays and determined his wrist was broken. I looked at the x-ray. I didn't need to be a doctor to see that. Wow! He did a number. The doctor recommended we go to either Duke or Wake's pediatric emergency room to get the break "reduced" - that means move the bones around until they line back up. Ouch!
We traveled to the Duke Emergency room. had to go through a metal detector to get in. That was alarming to say the least but I guess necessary to keep everyone safe. I was wondering if I had to take my shoes off.
They gave him an IV (with some serious coaching) from both parents. I counted at least four doctors and several nurses that came in. They wanted to take more x-rays but I told them I brought the x-rays from the urgent care. After about 3 hours everyone came back in, gave my son some medicine to make him very sleepy, then proceeded to "reduce" his wrist bone. After that, we got five more x-rays to make sure his wrist was set correctly. Everything looked good so off we go after 5 1/2 hours in the ER.
One day later, we got a call from the orthopedic doctor. "I have an opening tomorrow if you can bring him in. We want to get him out of that splint as soon as possible and get him in a cast". Being the good parent, of course I was going to go. What was I going to say? "Naaa - tomorrow doesn't work for me. I'll take the chance my son's wrist will be permanently damaged and walk around with nagging guilt the rest of my life." No thanks.
I got him back in the car and traveled to the Children's Hospital. We got right in and the doctor (with an assistant and nurse) removed his splint and gave him a new cast. They did a great job as they did not scare him and he felt no pain. To make sure everything was still in good shape - they took two more x-rays. He is home and feeling great with his new NC State Red cast.
In summary, I thank God that medical care has advanced where a team of professionals take care of you instead of the local doctor/chronic smoker. I know we have many problems with our health care system (just talk to the ladies at the front desk at Duke) but the level of care provided is fantastic and I want to thank all the doctors and nurses for their great care of my son.
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