When you have a child, you think about their safety, well being and health. But what is health? You think that you want them to be healthy, but to what standard? I have not thought about this for a long time, I figure just roll with the punches. But this isn't the case. You are supposed to make sure that you can handle anything, even medically.
Since my son has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, we have been to hospitals, doctors, clinics and everywhere to make sure his health is in good condition. We have had x-rays, echocardiograms, ultrasounds, eating studies, you name it we have most likely been there and done that. Just a few days a go he got tubes put in his ears to help the fluid drain and improve his hearing. This is his second set and I'm sure not the last. I think about his health all the time, ask myself questions on if I'm doing this right, what happens if his rest results come back with something.. Any little thing down to the clothes and shoes he wears. As a typical mother, I'm sure this is true to everyone. One thing we had to do before he went to surgery was get approval from his pediatrician. When we went in for that appointment I figured it would be a standard check up, as we done many times before, so I wasn't worried. But when I asked about a red area next to his privates she asked if he was circumcised, in which I replied with a yes... Then her with a hmmph.. First thought here.. What's wrong?! She said it was nothing just that his urethra was partially covered with skin indicating that either there wasn't enough skin taken off or a botched job. Now I'm freaking out! How didn't I notice this? I thought it looked normal! Should I have been investigating it every time I changed his diaper?? She then assured me everything will be ok but to get a second opinion from a specialist, a pediatric urologist, from children's memorial. She then told me he was good to go for surgery and to wait until he was better to go see the specialist.
So what do I do now? I have made plans to do it next week and it's all I can think about. I have told my mother about this and she was mortified. He is almost 4 and might have to get another circumcision! She thinks that this is going to scar him for life, and maybe it will. I don't know. On the other hand I have had someone tell me to due the doctor who did the circumcision in the first place. Does he have a point? Does this not happen? I'm so confused...
On the other hand I have a tentative appointment for myself to check on my cervix if the cells have grown or not. I haven't talked much about this but, I was diagnose with HPV right after I had my son and it still is a scary situation. But now I have so many medical problems on my mind. How do I cope with it all?
Does Julian have to have another circumcision for medical reasons? If not, I would seriously consider whether it is advisable to make him go through the pain. Knowing what I know now, I would never have had my sons circumcised. It is procedure usually done out of habit, tradition (in some cultures) and in my case, ignorance. But as a young mother, I didn't know that back then. I hope J doesn't have to get it done again. I hope the doctor can give you options.
ReplyDeleteI first did the circumcision to help Julian in the future. Since he has down syndrome i didnt want him to also worry about pulling back the skin to clean himself and i didnt want him to be embarrased to tell me if there was a problem down there, you know? So we went to the specialist and found out that he doesnt need another circumcision but he has something called hypospadias and his uretha opening is too small so he has to have surgery to make it bigger.. heart breaking stuff..
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