Dr. P

Dr. P called me today from 513-420-8680 at 11:45AM.

Below is a transcript of his message.

"This is Dr. P.  I was just calling to let you know that Carrie's x-ray did show that she has gastro esophogeal reflux, so she's on treatment for that.  If you have any questions give me a call at 513-424-1856"

I called him back to thank him for calling me and asked if he had time to answer a few questions.  He said that she will remain on Zantac (prescribed initially by Dr. K.) with an increase in dose.  Her milk will be thickened a bit with rice cereal to increase the chances of keeping it down.  I can't remember verbatim what I said but below is a list of
questions and his answers.

1.  Did he or someone from his staff recommend rectal stimulation to relieve Carrie's constipation?  He said that slight stimulation with a rectal thermometer has been known to help the rectum relax and allow waste to pass through more easily.  He didn't confirm
that he recommended it to Carmen.

2.  Has Carrie been coming to his office every other week for weigh-ins?  Is she losing 1/2 pound each week?  He confirmed that Carrie has been coming in frequently and that she is gaining weight appropriately for her age.

3.  What does he know about Dr. K's "diagnosis by definition" of Cerebral Palsy?  He said
that he remembered discussing it one time briefly with Dr. K.  He said his best guess for Dr. K's concern was Carrie's lack of trunk control.

4.  Did he tell Carmen that Carrie would definitely have to have leg braces in the near future? No.  He indicated that he has never said anything about leg braces.

5.  Carmen said that Carrie's reflux was the most severe kind.  Stomach contents and acid travel all the way up.  How severe is her reflux?  The x-ray only shows that reflux is present.  He doesn't have any way to determine how severe it is.  Only Carrie could say how severe and she can't talk.

6.  Would reflux cause her "stiffening spells"?  The reaction to the pain could indeed cause her to stiffen.

7.  Does Carrie's reflux prevent her from riding in a car long enough to visit her father in KY?  No.

I expressed my continuing concern of MBPS.  I indicated that I don't suspect that Carmen is intentionally harming Carrie.  My concern is on the lighter side which includes Carmen exaggerating about Carrie's existing medical problems in order to exert control or garner attention.  I stressed that I wouldn't ask him any questions that would put him in a difficult position.  I requested that he be keenly alert to the situation and report anything he considered to be alarming to the appropriate officials.

My final request of him was whether or not he would provide documentation or testimony, if necessary, for the courts when Stewart takes Carmen to court for violating his right to visitation.  He said something like this, "I guess I can say that Carrie is definitely gaining weight appropriately for her age and that as far as I know she won't need leg braces or that I've never said such.  I can also say that reflux is not a reason to keep her from traveling to KY for family visits."