I recently experienced one of the hardest days I have had as a mother of three.
The children's doctors I have been going to for six years refused to see my 4-day-old son because I sought a second opinion about my 2-year-old.
'WHY ARE YOU BRINGING HIM HERE?'
I showed up to the doctor's office at my scheduled time for my newborn son, filled out the new patient packet and turned it in.
Within five minutes, the nurse came up front and asked whether it would be a problem for the doctor to see my newborn, since my son, who is 2, does not go there anymore and my daughter, who is 6, does.
I politely explained that there would be no problem. Afterward, we are directed to go in the exam room.
We sat and waited one hour before the doctor came in.
Before she began her exam, she asked the same question so I explained to her that basically each situation is different; still, the doctor wanted more details.
My son's father explained that we pulled our 2-year-old from there for a second opinion; a lot was going on with him at the time, and we needed answers to keep him at daycare.
As the conversation continued, she then said, "So why are you bringing him here?"
We again explained that there should not be a problem with getting a second opinion about our child, and that it's perfectly healthy. Would it be best if we went somewhere different?
She said yes — that she refuses to see him.
IS THIS ABOUT MEDICAID?
Like any upset mother who feels discriminated against, I asked to speak with the owner. The nurse explained that it would take awhile, but I was willing to wait about my child's health.
She asked what happened, so I told her the story all over again. She shook her head and said she could get the nurse practitioner to help, because we should not leave without getting our baby seen. So I requested that my daughter's care be switched over to her as well.
I was escorted back to the room and, within minutes, she came back and said that she can't see any of my kids — not even my daughter.
I asked for an explanation because my daughter has been getting seen there after I pulled my 2-year-old, and her reason was because we don't trust her opinion. Period.
I tried to explain that their explanation makes no sense, and again asked to speak with the owner.
No luck.
It really seems to me that I was turned down just because I had Medicaid and she just didn't want to be bothered.
I'm a confused mother trying to make it with little help to go on.
Please help!
Andrea Thomas is a mother of three who lives in Crestview.
What's your view? Was being discharged from the clinic unjust, or do you understand the doctor's decision? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: We got a second opinion — that's all — and our doctor discharged us