Funny Kids

I often wish that I could remember all the funny things that kids do and say in the office.  Well, today, I remember one.

Every now and then, if a kid asks, I'll let them listen to my heart or look in my ears.  Today, even though it was a busy Monday, I decided to let this 8 year old boy look in my ear.  It is tough to say no to a polite, charming kid.  This particular child then proceeded to remind me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer impersonates a doctor.
  
In "The Slicer", Kramer is trying to help George out by pretending to be a doctor so he can take a photo of George's boss with his shirtoff.  This is so George can then replace a beach photo of his boss from years before when he and George had had a run in.  As Kramer is examining George's boss, he says such things as, "Male mammal.  Approximately 30-60 years of age. Weight...indeterminate... fiber from shirt on left shoulder.  I'm gonna have to keep an eye on that."

As the child started to look in my ear, he started to say things like,"Wax in ear...black hair...large hole...skin normal"  I start to chuckle as he is sharing his observations because it reminds me of the Seinfeld episode, so he then says, "apparently ticklish".   Hilarious!

What Is A Well Visit?

As a pediatrician, I often have expecting parents who come in to interview me or my partner to decide if they want to use us as their pediatricians.  At the visit, we talk about how our practice works and we present them with the recommended schedule of well visits (established by the American Academy of Pediatrics).  This schedule can be found here:  http://brightfutures.aap.org/pdfs/AAP%20Bright%20Futures%20Periodicity%20Sched%20101107.pdf

Parents are often surprised at the number of visits that are recommended.  If they want more information, we explain a bit about what goes on at a well visit and why they are important.  We mention that we review the growth and development of their child, perform a head to toe physical exam, provide guidance on things like feeding and safety, give immunizations, and perform a variety of screens, labs and other assessments depending on the age of the child.

If you look at the Bright Futures schedule linked above, you can see how involved some of these visits are.  As a result of all that is required, the visits (including paperwork, tests, and vaccines) can take anywhere from 20-60 minutes, so parents should probably plan that it will take approximately an hour to complete the visit.  Some of the visits that are less involved (like the 9 month visit) may be faster and a few may take longer (like the 4 year and 11-12 year visit).

Another thing that sometimes surprises parents is how these well visits are billed and what charges are incurred during a well visit.  Medical billing is complex and is based on a process called coding.  I will address that in an upcoming post.  For the time being, think of your medical bill for an office visit as being similar to the bill you receive at a restaurant. 

Saving a Place

Thought I'd share this post that I wrote a couple of months ago, but forgot to publish:

Has there ever been a time where you were supposed to meet someone at a crowded dinner or a show and you were late getting there?  Isn't it such a relief to know someone is saving you a seat?  It might make you feel that you are important to the person who is waiting on you.  

Perhaps you have been on the other side.  Perhaps you have been the one waiting on your friend or family member to join you.  Isn't it nice when your friend arrives and he can take the place you have saved for him?  You feel like the party can finally start for real and you can begin enjoying the fellowship with your friend and have a good time.

This is where our family is right now: we are saving a place for someone.  We have things to do while we are waiting and life goes on in the meantime, but we can't wait for that place to be filled.  Our family is in the process of adoption and we are greatly looking forward to meeting our new son and welcoming him to his place with our family.  We don't know who our son will be, but God already knows who he is and when we will get to be with him.  To us, he is already a part of this family and we are eagerly anticipating the day when he will take his place with us at the table.

The empty seat at our dinner table will hopefully be filled in the next 6-12 months.

BTW, this is not my family or my image.  Just appropriate for the situation.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."  John 14:18

First Ethiopian Food

We had our first experience with Ethiopian food last night and it was delicious.  We have been wanting to experience what we can of Ethiopian culture in preparation for our adoption, which led us to Desta in Atlanta.

In the photo are steak tibs, which were wonderfully flavorful.  The roll of bread in the photo is injera, which is a spongy, slightly sour bread that you use to pick up and eat your food (with your right hand).  Because Italy occupied Ethiopia for a short while, pasta became part of Ethiopian cuisine. The kids ordered one of the pasta dishes, which was also quite tasty.  If you have never eaten Ethiopian food, you are missing out.  Give it a try!