By: K. Crystal Griffith
Have you had your fair share of dreaded doctor encounters?
You know, the type who will dismiss suggestions, speak over you, and attempt to make the appointment as short as possible, only seeing you and your child as a repeat customer or looking at you as if you know nothing?
As a single mom of a medically complex kiddo, I’ve been there with you. In fact, 16 years’ worth of those fun appointments and I am still flabbergasted by some of the doctors who actually know better. And yet, they obviously have a momentary lapse in judgment, or they are just “hangry”.
The fact is we as medical moms, we live with and in these issues 24/7. We do not want to come to the doctor unless we absolutely have to because we already spend most of our life there. Doctors, trust me when I say, we have a whole arsenal of tools we work through before we head your direction. So, when we show up, respect us, our knowledge, and our wisdom in ruling out what it could be, suggesting what it might be, and the extra pieces we know to leave out and bring into the conversation. We are parents who could probably write a dissertation on the medical issues that ails their child. Those issues have kept us up researching, reading, praying, seeking for weeks, months, even years.
Now moms, as I toot your horn for the incredible, amazing, thankless job you do with love, day in and day out, we also do need to thank those same doctors and nurses. On more than one occasion, they have saved my kiddo’s life and I suspect your child’s as well. Our precious treasure’s greatest opportunity for being as healthy as possible comes from a whole team approach, with the stealth weapon at the center, the MEDICAL MOM WARRIOR, YOU! Here are a few key tools the warrior brings to support the dream team.
- Medical Binder – A Medical Mom Warrior key tool in the toolkit! Having the latest information, dosages, doctors, and updated appointment information will keep the time together on task versus rediscussing items already covered.
- Medical Cheat Sheet – Super handy short reference sheet for ambulance and ED trips that save time, your energy, and create clarity for everyone to be on the same page quickly. It includes an overview of the insurance, permission to treat, emergency contact info, ailments, allergies, and surgeries.
- Medical Alert QR Code – A recent find that has been truly a lifesaver as the kiddos grow into freedom and independence. There are several options available that create a QR code for medical alerts. Enter all the pertinent information online then when medical personnel snaps the QR code, all the medical information is available immediately. This was quite valuable when we were out of town and found out not all the major children’s hospitals are interconnected.
As a gift to my fellow medical warriors, reach out and I’ll send you the medical binder and the medical cheat sheet templates to make your life so much easier. www.KCrystalGriffith.com Medical Mom Warriors must stick together for sanity, medical life hacks, and connections while we walk a journey we never expected, with those we wouldn’t trade for the world. Until next time, stay healthy and reach out on social media @KCrystalGriffith. I’d love to hear your best Medical Mom Warrior tool in your toolkit!