I switched pediatricians today. And I feel a little guilty about it. We went through a number (3) of pediatricians here, before we settled on our last. And I liked most of the people at the last office - except for the one nurse who thought she'd just sneak up on my children to give them their flu shots. But the office was crowded, and they stopped getting flu shots for kids over 1 and they don't do hearing and vision screenings. But I didn't mention this to them when I dropped by to get a copy of Hugmonkey's vaccinations this morning. I just took them and fled to the new pediatrician's. Where I signed a consent form so THEY could ask the old pediatricians for the kids' records, not me.
Because apparently I am a chickenshit.
Unlike Hugmonkey, who was very vocal and honest in his opinions at the new pediatrician's this morning. "Where are your ears?" the doctor asked kindly. "NO!" Hugmonkey responded. Hugmonkey knows where his ears are very well, of course. He just didn't feel like telling the lady with the stethoscope. Nor did he feel like standing on the scale, having the stethoscope used on him or cooperating in any way with the medical exam. Although he was perfectly happy to chat about his cars. He even gave the doctor the purple one when she asked, which surprised me because I thought he didn't know his colors. Sometimes I wonder what else he knows.
He was very distraught, for example, when we left the old pediatricians' office this morning. Their waiting room has LOTS of toys, but I wonder if he also knew that we wouldn't be going back?
Seriously, though, I wonder if I should tell the old pediatricians that we're leaving. They are not hurting for business, believe me, but they did know our family. Have you told doctors that you're changing practices? The only other times I've done it have been because we were moving and I didn't feel guilty about it then. Now I'm nervous about saying, "You're fabulous and all, but just not fabulous enough." Or should I just forget about it altogether?
Please, internets, give me some advice.
*So yeah, part of this post was prompted by the message from the old pediatrician's office on my machine. I mean, I knew it was there and the guilt kicked in, but I hadn't actually listened to it. Well, now I have and my guilt is TOTALLY GONE. Those assholes won't release the records until I pay them $28, a dollar per page of my kids' records. Interestingly, they have never charged me for all the copies I've needed for school. I can't believe this is even legal.
