As I was interviewing a pediatrician based in southern California for the book I’m writing, he asked me where I was located.
“Ashland.”
“That’s so funny,” Dr. S. quipped. “I have to be in central Oregon next week.”
Dr. S. and I arranged to meet in person in Bend, which is about a 4-hour drive from Ashland.
The first time we visited Bend I didn’t like the miles of sprawl and the big box stores. The city felt unwieldy to navigate (this was before my father-in-law vastly improved our lives by giving us his hand-me-down GPS), the restaurants overpriced, and the famous High Desert Museum too far out of town.
But the next time I stayed downtown at The Oxford, an upscale hotel with an eco-bent that I was writing about for a travel article. I kept the car parked and walked with the baby and my oldest daughter along the path that parallels the Deschutes River. It was early summer. There were dads carrying infants, teens lazing down the river in truck-tire inner tubes, and good coffee at the sidewalk cafés. I liked Bend a lot more on that second trip.
The baby and my second born, who just turned ten, came with me. We left later than we should have, drove faster than was prudent, and somehow avoided getting a ticket despite having a cop behind us. We arrived only half an hour tardy to an event I was told not to attend. (The doctor invited me but when he checked with the drug company sponsoring the event they got their knickers in a knot and said it was overbooked, the doctors in Bend were a tight-knit group and wouldn’t want an outsider there, and that even if there were space, they’d have to clear it with headquarters first. Drug companies are not known for their open arms to journalists. I wonder why…)
I left Athena in the hotel room to put the baby to bed and went downstairs to the lecture, channeling my inner Michael Moore. Since I don’t want to give the whole story away, you’ll have to read the book to find out if I successfully sneaked in. (My book doesn’t come out until 2013, if all goes well. How’s that for a teaser?)
The next morning Athena, the baby, and I met Dr. S. in the lobby and we walked through downtown Bend and along the river path.
The baby had no interest in helping me look professional.
Instead, she insisted on wriggling out of the stroller and she stopped to examine the path.
Pebbles, interesting. Pine needles, bah. Goose poop? What is this? How does it smell? How does it feel? I like this texture. This is something to pay attention to!
“I don’t think that’s good for her.” The kind pediatrician looked stricken.
“What about the hygiene hypothesis?” I countered, smiling. “Haven’t we evolved to be exposed to germs and dirt?”
“You know, you’re right! You are absolutely right!” He laughed. I laughed. Leone examined the dried goose poop more closely.
Twice in the course of the hour we spent together talking about the infant vaccination schedule and the challenges of practicing pediatrics in America today, Dr. S. interrupted himself. “You know,” he said, shaking his head, “you were so right about the goose poop. I have to hand you that.”
We had a lively conversation. As a pediatrician who works seven days a week and who cares deeply about every one of his patients, Dr. S. tells his colleagues that every child needs a “medical home,” that it’s a pediatrician’s responsibility to come to the hospital or see a patient after hours if it’s urgent. He is worried that pediatricians are sending patients to the ER and then not following up, and he has seen cases where children have died after their pediatricians hand them off to unfamiliar ER doctors. He listens to the parents and he individualizes the care he gives based on the patient’s needs. While many of his colleagues refuse to treat families that selectively vaccinate or do not vaccinate at all, Dr. S. does not turn children away. He is in good standing with his peers and very well respected among doctors in his community. But with many of his colleagues he keeps his opinions to himself. He’s deeply concerned about how medicine is being practiced today and how doctors are being taught to prioritize financial considerations over patient heath. He’s conflicted about how drug companies target doctors and medical associations in order to sell their products.
On the way home we stopped near Crater Lake. Athena plunged through the waist-high snow, making snow fairies and pelting me with snowballs. The baby ate snow and cackled with laughter every time a snowball hit its mark.
I got an email from Dr. S. when he returned to California: “I was just going to contact you that today’s USA Today has a big article on drug company influence of doctors on front page Section B. You have me motivated to write my book. Maybe our 2 books will change the world. You have given me much food 4 thought. I don’t think the Drug companies are the enemy you may think, but I admit many drug prices are ludicrous and cruel, and I do see many examples of doctors being brainwashed into recommending things that do benefit the drug companies but yet these doctors really really have convinced themselves that it is best for the patient. Very complex situation. Maybe I should run for President or at least mayor of Ashland.
“Ps I have given thought to your daughter’s Goose dropping exposure. I think it would be OK for her, but my only concern is if the Goose has been exposed to any Environmental Toxins. Probably Green-minded Oregon geese are safe, but have her stay away from any California geese droppings if you visit ever.”
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
As long as you wash her hands before she eats, I’d guess the goose poop incident is just fine. I’m no germ expert, though, and I only parent dogs, who are infinitely grosser than kids.
Roxanne recently posted..Dog Health- Spider Bite
When I think back to all the stuff we did and touched as kids on a farm, it’s a darn miracle we’re all still alive! I must say, I’m MUCH more paranoid about my kids than my parents ever were about us. I guess back then it just “was what it was.” Anyway, they must have known something because we’re all healthy and made it to age 60 down through 50 ok. So far anyway.
And had to chuckle that the doc’s concern was whether the goose poop was environmentally friendly or not. That *never came up for us growing up! Then again, we lived in a minefield of spray materials and weed killer. Ack. I’m a ticking time bomb.
Jane Boursaw recently posted..The Hunger Games 101
Loved this post. I probably wouldn’t let my kids fondle goose poop just b/c it is gross, but agree it probably wouldn’t hurt them as long they washed their hands!
A few thoughts about the ped being the “medical home.” My own primary Dr is participating in some award winning “medical home” program and I have yet to see if it means a damn thing. In my mind, I really want my primary to supervise my care. To me, that means if I see a specialist, I want the primary to be in touch with the specialist and consult on other factors that are not within the specialist’s purview. That is not happening. Our ped’s office now suddenly has night and weekend hours, which I suspect was instituted to compete with the ped/adolescent urgent care that just opened in our area. It’s a step in the right direction at least.
Ha-ha! Loved the ending and felt as if I was right there with you, so descriptive is your writing. Looking forward to your book in 2013!
I can’t wait for the book. I’m surprised that the goose poop didn’t make it into her mouth, but maybe she’s just too old and wise for that now.
Your daughter should probably stay away from the New Jersey geese too. They are EVERYWHERE here – it’s pestilence city. Hate the nasty things.
Casey recently posted..Raising a Pint in London
Goose poop would make me a little nervous, although chances are it’s safer than many other things we “think” are ok.
I hope you got into the drug company conference! I don’t know if i can wait until 2013, maybe you can do a follow up?
I make my kids wash their hands before eating, not so much because of germs as much as a parasites.
The doctor sounds like an amazing person to interview–realistic, funny, thoughtful. I still remember the one doc that made such a difference to me as a young parents–actually, she wasn’t a doc at all but a nurse practitioner. She offered free classes to parents where they could learn simple approaches to their children’s care. We were able to buy otoscopes and she taught us how to use them so that we could call in and explain what was going on with our kids’ ears if we had a problem. Very unique, I’d say. She made me feel empowered as a parent.
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There is a fairly infamous family story of me as a small child delivering a dried smooshed frog to my mother, when we had company, of course! I’m pretty sure I had a good dose of whatever could be found on the ground as a child, so I’m with you on the goose poop.
Melanie @ Frugal Kiwi recently posted..Mother-of-All Junk Shop Finds
What a great anecdote! Especially about the doctor making a distinction between Oregon and California geese.