Yep, we are once again not impressed with Mitch's doctor, Dr. Bielema, from OAM, Spectrum Health. We were under the assumption, because that is what we were told, that Mitch would have to be on crutches for six weeks and then he would be good to go. Well, that's not what the dear doctor told us today. Mitch has to be on crutches another 4 weeks. I understand why, it's because the bone has to fill in where they broke it, but it would have been NICE TO KNOW THAT when we started with this whole business. Needless to say, Mitch is VERY DISAPPOINTED and PISSED! He is allowed to bend to 90 degrees, so that's good.
His next appointment was not going to be until July 14 because Dr. Bielema is on vacation, but I asked for Mitch to see someone else...so now he has to go back on July 2 and see the doctor's PA...the nurse said she wasn't sure if that would be OK with Bielema, but I said it just plain better be...DUH...do you think a 16 year old is going to want to wait an extra 12 days just because the doctor is on vacation...I DON'T THINK SO!
All in all, our experience with this dear doctor has been very bad...he has terrible bedside manner, doesn't ever see his patients (with their parents) at the hospital, coming in as early as 6:00 am, we didn't see him when Mitch got his staples taken out 4 weeks ago either...maybe then he would have given us the information we got today. I know he is good at what he does, but at what expense...he will not be getting any recommendations (good ones that is) from me, in fact, if I can somehow let others know how he treats his patients, I will.
Please pray that in the next 4 weeks, that the bone will be healed completely and Mitch can go on with life. It sucks because he won't be able to get a job, his summer is pretty much gone...hard stuff for a 16 year old to digest and accept.
Hi-
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me...But I've learned of your blog through a family friend. I was curious as to whether the Dr. Buelema(sp?) you are referring to, is the one out of Grand Rapids Spectrum Health? IF so, I share your feelings. My mother was a victim of a pedestrian/vehicle accident and has basically become the bionic woman. Over the course of the past two years, she has endured nine surgical procedures. Which involved reconstructing her pelvis, replacing her hip, knee surgery, pins placed and removed from an ankle, removal of a foreign object from her leg/calf, and so on. His bedside manner is horrid!!!! Always doubts the chronic pain that my mother is constantly in, and always gives us the sense that he would rather be somewhere else! Aside from all the injuries that I stated above, she also has endured a brain injury. Therefore I have become the "mother", and handle all her medical needs and day to day needs. I will admit he is an intelligent doctor and does good work....but that isn't all that makes a doctor a GOOD doctor. Hang in there! My prayers are with you!
Amy
Hang in there Mitch, hopefully things will get better. I'm praying for you.
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