Friday, June 4, 2010

Response

I did not have a chance to send my letter to Children's Medical Center of Dallas this week. Our family is dealing with bigger issues right now.  Our daughter, Sophie is sick and we are trying to figure out what is wrong.  I just didn't have time to think about about CMC after Sophie's doctor appointment on Tuesday afternoon.

Well, until I received an email response from Nate's former endo late last night. I am very impressed that Dr. Tannin took the time to respond and I think it is very thoughtful of her to respond and wish us well with Nate's future treatment.


Here is the letter that I recieved last night - - - in its entirety:




June 2, 2010

Dear Mrs. Houston,

I just wanted you to know that I have read your blog.  Several of my partners and a number of people in the Children’s Medical Center administration have read it as well.  So you can rest assured that the letter has reached its mark.  We hear your concerns and will be working to address the areas in which we can and should improve.

It is important to me that you to know that we really do value every single patient and family for whom we care.  You and Nate have never been anything like a number to me or really to any of our staff.  I know that we were not always successful in helping you in ways that you found comfortable and for that I am sorry.

Different strategies work for different people and even for the same people in different situations.  I’m sure you can imagine another parent getting impatient if we had waited to start education until they were rested because that person would not have calmed down until they had a lot of concrete information and skills assimilated.

There are also many opinions on the advisability of tight blood sugar control in toddlers.  I have teenaged patients whose diabetes was diagnosed in infancy who struggle with attention and learning issues.  We still do not know the extent to which unrecognized hypoglycemia plays a role in the development of these issues.

I wish you, your whole family and Nate only the best in your continued journey with diabetes.  I hope that your new health care setting is everything you want it to be for all of you.

You may post this letter on your blog if you wish. If you do, I ask that you post the entire letter rather than quoting excerpts. 


Sincerely,

Dr. Grace Tannin


To be honest it is 12:30 AM and I am modifying this post because - - - well, because this is my blog and I want to!  I deleted a paragraph addressing Dr. Tannin's paragraph in her letter about the tight blood control in toddlers.  I didn't address it in my response to her so to be fair I took it out of the post.

Again, I think it was very nice of her to write and wish us well.

We have moved on from CMC and so far we are very pleased with Nate's new medical team.  Nate has 1 doctor, 1 nurse and 1 CDE and I believe this system will work better for Nate's long term care and work better for our family.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

i find this really good and very honestly doubt that it went thru legal. Us lawyers would've made a lot more clauses in this short letter. Either way, nice to leave on a note knowing that they are considering your issues and hoping to make changes.

I personally have told you that within the new group you choose, I've seen three different doctors and two different educators due to pregnancies or the difference between me now and me as a teenager. Even within the excellent team, I can get very different information. You have to click with your team on a number of different levels.

Best wishes. You really are doing fabulously.

Wendy said...

Wow. I have been OUT OF THE LOOP!

I just went back and read your letter, and the comments that followed. Looks like it was received....

OH, the woes of lows...especially for these little people!!!!

After moving from MD to AZ, we rec'd conflicting information about managing a toddler. The only consistency we found was that little brains NEED glucose...as a result, we targeted an A1c between 7.8 - 8.5. When she was nearing her 5th birthday, we targeted an A1c in the mid-high 7's and, since shortly before her 6th birthday, we've been targeting the high 6's/low 7's.

Addy has that horrible history of HORRIBLE lows....it scares me beyond comprehension...what permanent damage those passing out, head hitting, gut wrenching lows could have done to her little developing brain :(

Meri said...

Heres the thing. Toddlers with diabetes are a rare breed...and they need attention from someone who is consistant...and knows the history. And it helps if this person is a doctor...not a nurse. I've had newly diagnosed as a baby...a toddler...and a preschooler...and I can tell you that the baby is FAR AND BEYOND a different world. The worry is ten fold. And to be put on hold...or worse...not even being called back, well...that is wrong on SO many levels. I'm not condemning the place you are leaving...I'm just saying I've been there. Families with babies that are newly diagnosed should have one go to person. And that person should be the cream of the crop. Just sayin.

Unknown said...

WOW...outta the loop here in VT!!! I go and move, don't keep up on blogs and now look what happens. Laura...I am so proud of you! It looks like your letter will make changes or at least bring some issues to the forefront of the practice's conscience.

phonelady said...

I totally agree with what meri said and yes I had a 6 yr old dxed and then me I was dxed at 16 . the dr was guessing that I had been a t1 quite some time before that and my son as well since some drs missed things they should have picked up but did not , none the less . yes issues are totally different with babys , toddlers and teens and adults . I would ? a medical team that did not think so . God bless you and your family I keeping all of you in my prayers . I pray that sophie comes out of this just fine .

Lora said...

Like Wendy, I just had to go back and read... I am sooo far behind. Can't wait till schools out!

You did a great job. I hope that your letter helps those that follow in your path. I am glad you found a place that makes you a bit more happy.

Penny said...

I am happy you got a response and that you were heard. I also love that they read your blog, cause that means that they may begin to understand your story and all that you do for Nate. I am also thrilled that you moved on. It is what it is. The team you have now for Nate sounds fabulous.

As for the comment about toddlers and the D, well, you know how I hate generalizations, so I dislike them even more when they come from medical professionals. Every child with D is a story of a child with D.

Tracy1918 said...

I woke up in the middle of the night with Sophie on my mind. Isn't it funny how someone you've never met can be on your mind. I'm so sorry she's going through this. I will keep praying for all of you.

Anonymous said...

Too little, too late.

At least they saved you the trouble of having to mail it.

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Just a Mom

I am NOT a doctor, nor do I play one on this blog.

I AM a wife.
I AM the mom of 3 wonderful children.
I AM my son's pancreas.

The information provided on this blog is from our personal experiences with Type 1 diabetes. Because something works for us does not mean it will work for you.

Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your health care options.

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