I kind of like it, to talk to the doctors and tell them my problems and answer my questions.
Jaya, age 8
Making the doctor a little more fun
Meghan: You know those bouncing balls in the lobby? That really catches kids’ eyes! That thing really works! I love it, I love the balls! And there’s the playroom!
Mom: We’ve tried to make it a little bit special – we try to go out to the Children’s Museum or do something after. I learned that from Nana. When I had to go to the diabetes doctor, she would always try to make it a little more fun.
Meghan, age 8, and mother
I’ve just got to do it
We go to appointments every year and each doctor tells us something different. We’ve been going a lot lately because I’ve been having a lot of trouble with my braces, and then I needed a check-up, and then I got an infection, and then we needed to come again just for another check-up. So once a year, but if we need to go more, then we have to.
We have a person closer to home that worked with one of my doctors in Boston, so if there’s anything we need she’s here.
It gets annoying because some days I have to miss school, which I have missed, but I know that I’ve just got to do it.
Kayla, age 14
That little reassurance is big for me
I never knew this fact when I was younger, but I think having a good relationship with a doctor is very important. My doctor knows I’m not going to abuse an email situation, but if I do have a question, I can email him and he emails me back – which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it puts you at ease! There’s days that I’m like, “Geez, I’ve had spasms for 24 hours! What am I doing wrong?” and he’s like, “You just need to keep on drinking water, and it’ll subside. Go get a urinary test, and then I’ll get back to you in a couple days.” That little reassurance is big for me.
I think we just have an understanding that it’s not always going to be perfect, which is helpful.
Sam, age 32