That's Graham at age 2.5, sitting on his surgeon, Rusty's lap.
The first time I met Rusty was just after Graham's first surgery to repair his diaphragm. Graham was just one day old. Rusty met us in the ICU, dressed in a nice suit, he looked like he was headed to a fancy dinner, not like he'd just spent 3 hours rearranging my baby's insides.
He told us the surgery went well, lungs were good size, blah blah blah. I was having a hard time absorbing any of it. I'm sure I looked fully shell shocked. He finished his spiel with this gem;
"Don't worry, I do this all the time"
Through my intense desire to beat that God complex out of him with a brick, I managed to tell him;
"Well, I. DON'T."
I didn't hate Rusty for long. He and his team of residents soon became my favorite people in the world.
Rusty, Ed, Mike, and Sid. Not a bunch of bubbas in wife beaters pounding beers, but highly skilled, genius pediatric surgeons. All of them young, with young children of their own. All of them regular guys, dads, husbands.
We soon developed a great relationship. They all knew that I could handle any information, good or bad. I listened to rounds, sometimes joined in. I didn't want to miss a word.
The residents have all moved on, all attending doctors at other lucky hospitals.
We still see Rusty. Uncle Rusty. I love when clinic time rolls around and we get to see him. He has a great sense of humor, and he totally gets me.
When Graham was three months old, he was having some major surgery; g-tube placement, Nissen Fundoplication, his left kidney was being removed, and he still needed to be circumcised. Rusty joked about being the most nervous about the circumcision.
After surgery, Rusty met us in the ICU where Graham was recovering. What is the first thing he says to me after removing a major organ, placing a tube for nutrition, and changing the anatomy of his stomach?
"His penis looks GREAT!"
I love this guy.
At a clinic visit when Graham was a toddler, Rusty was trying to get a feeling of Graham's development, and asked what kinds of things Graham likes to play with. I couldn't resist and told him;
"You know, broken glass, knives, angry bees..... regular kid stuff"
He didn't skip a beat;
"Great, you're doing such a good job with him".
Rusty is Dr. Worst Case Scenario. He's always prepared us for the worst, which I've always loved about him. I was surprised, when at Graham's 3 year clinic visit Rusty dropped this bomb;
"When I discharged him, I wasn't sure he'd survive his first winter".
What what WHAAAT?
When Graham was discharged after his 101 days, I didn't even consider him sick anymore. We were just going home with our happy, healthy baby. And Uncle Rusty still thought he wasn't going to make it.
What a dummy.
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24 comments:
wow - what a story - glad little man is perfect with a perfect doc!
I am glad you were blessed with a great team of Dr.s he seems like such a sweet guy..
and your little guy is way to cute..
Great post. Dr. Rusty seems like a wonderful doctor -even if he was pessimistic.
He sounds like a fun doctor. It's awesome that you two share a sense of humour abut things -- I'm sure he sees so many negative, sad things in his job that seeing you and Graham is a bright spot in his days too :]
Dr. Rusty sounds like and awesome guy. We love and miss our first surgeon dearly. He was always short and curt at bedside, but get him in his office and he is a total softie--great guy. I knew his bedside manner was a facade when I heard him on the phone with his wife one day close to Leah's bedside. ;)
This past surgeon we had is only on my good side because he put my daughter back together. Otherwise he was horrible.
Wow........I wasn't expecting that bomb at the end. I STILL have goosebumps. Dr. Rusty really does sound like an amazing surgeon and the things you've been through with Graham astound me.
I think its great the way you have created these relationships... What a great Doctor! and you are so damn witty!!!!
as usual, awesome post lady!
I love Wordful Wednesdays!
Wow, I can understand the bond you'd have with the doc. Makes the picture that much more special!!!!!
He's kinda cute , too.
Becca's first surgeon became a local San Francisco ( this was back when we were local to SF, of course)hero after the Earthquake but before that he was known to me as this great doctor who was just drop dead gorgeous. My husband met him before I did and called the hospital where I was and said " I think you're gonna like Becca's surgeon". Dr. Mc Dreamy.
Her surgeon on this side of the country looked like Mr Andrews from Titanic.
Crone,
Yeah... he is kinda cute... he's got a little Jeff Foxworthy thing going on...
I love awesome doctors!! And I love that you proved him wrong!
you just gotta love a doctor like that. when they come back down to earth some doctors can be really cool.
I loved that story.
Didn't he also apologize for the hearing loss? Or was that someone else?
Movie girl, yes he did... he feels very bad about it... I have many more Rusty stories...
at least Rusty told you that AFTER not before you took him home.
and look at Graham's curly hair!
I, for one, would like to hear more Rusty stories. And yes, Jeff Foxworthy! That's who he looks like! I am a sucker for mustaches. It's cause I was a young and on the prowl in the 70s when everyone had one.
Graham looks cute with curls!
Great post... loved hearing about Uncle Rusty.
Docs can make such a difference!
Glad I dropped by today. Makes me remember how grateful I am for the fair share I have seen in my life.
It's such an amazing thing when you get a doctor that understands you and your child. I love that.
Wow! What an amazing doc. :) And you are an even more amazing mom! You have been through so much.
Well, thank god for Uncle Rusty and thank god for a good sense of humor... I think a good attitude and the ability to laugh help to heal and to cope much better and faster than without... Great post. As always!
I came over from WW..a bit late. This was a great post. New to your side what alot you have been thorough! I am around parents who receive the first words that their child is deaf..I do it everyday. We try to keep that in mind every day. Our parents are hearing it for the first time. Also, I chose to work with hearing impaired children..the parents did not. It is a fact that is given to them without choice.
Your insights as a parent regarding that initial statement speaks volumes as to the words that professionals use. What was intended to be reassuring was received differently and your response was great! I will remember your statement. When I want to tell a parent..we do this everyday and can help..I will remember..they don't!! Thanks!
And then Alex was blessed with Ed. It always makes such a difference when you can have so much faith and trust in the doctor. Love the picture, Graham is such a cutie.
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