SS's surgery update... & the drama that came with it

Catrina - posted on 05/28/2009 ( 13 moms have responded )

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Well my SS went and had his surgery today. Went well. There was a delay in actually getting him into the OR and starting his procedure. But overall everything went well. BM emailed tonight saying that he was feeling sick but doing well. Hope and resting. But of course she couldn't help but throw in her 2 cents about the "harrassment" we put the hospital staff through when we called for status updates. (BM declined to keep us updated and went so far as to tell us she couldn't promise a phone call after his surgery, that'd she'd check if he felt up to it -- he never feels up to calling per her statements)



We've spent the last week plus getting the court order and birth certificates over to the hospital, my husband wasn't listed as father so they initially refused to even talk to us. But again we got the documents over to their Privacy Department and got the go ahead. Thought we had all squared away, and everyone was on the same page. Dad would be calling from California - not in town - and would need to be updated as well as transfered to his son after he woke up.



When the time came around that my SS was to be getting out of the OR we called. All hell broke loose. My husband was even yelled at and told security was going to be called on him!? We aren't even in the same state?! So apparently the nursing staff went and all started bugging mom asking her what to tell my husband. Realizing the issues and lack of info the nurses had, we went straight to calling the Privacy Department whom arranged everything to ensure this call and status updates were going to happen and were cleared. Of course we got it all squared away, and immediately had the Nurse who had checked my SS in....we were on a 3 way call with the Privacy Department and this Nurse -- she didn't know I was on the line and sort of asked why Dad wasn't calling (my husband was attacked Nov 2008 and suffered a head injury, so he needs a little bit more explaining at his pace. not someone else's. I am very patient with him, and will get the information needed and take whatever time needed seperately to get him to understand) they understood it and worked with us. We got to talk to the nurse and just explain to her that BM was not going to be of ANY assistance - which is why we had to take this aggresive route. She understood, and was glad that it was worked out and we were able to be able get through. The nurse promised to relay the information over to the post-op nurse that we'd be calling for updates, and to speak to my SS. She even gave us a time frame from 3:15-3:30pm to call. We called at 3:40 - and he had just been recently wheeled out but was obviously still asleep. My husband asked what his status was and how he did....she said he did well, and vitals were well. All went fine. We asked when to call back, if she had any expected time that he'd be awake -- she said 30-45 minutes. She also stated "Wow you are on top of this, I haven't even gone out to tell BM he was out of surgery"



15 minutes later BM called to tell us that he was out of surgery. I told her we knew, and that we already had a time when to call back and talk to him. She laughed at me and told me that I was not understanding the process of surgery and that there is not a set time they wake up, why would we believe so. (I can't even count how many surgeries I personally have had for my stage 1 failing kidneys, so I know trust me) But I told BM that if she had something further to ask my husband then to call back. But otherwise we were set with the info we wanted and appreciated her call.



What do ya know? 30 minutes later she calls and says she asked my SS if he wanted to talk to his dad, and he said yes so she let him call. My husband told her that was kind of her, and it saved him a phone call. So he got to talk to his son, and they joked around a bit. Got some laughs. I even got to talk to him and told him I loved him to feel better. That I loved him -- he didn't say it back -- I wondered why...later my husband told me that BM had stated she was right there and would listen so he knew what to tell him was said if he missed anything....yeah sure...but whatever.



So tonight my husband gets a email from BM stating the status of my SS and how he's feeling. What the Dr said, and how she "attempted" to get papers to give to us - and the Dr declined stating that the information he was giving should be fine relayed. Then the email quickly shifted to "you made this a horrible stressful situation that we didn't have to deal with. I told you I was their for our son's needs not yours. Instead I was hounded by multiple nurses asking questions about your multiple phone calls. You had no right to step in and bother us during this stressful time" All that from the 1 phone call we made that came to a dead stop because the waiting nurse did not have the notes to speak to my husband was allowed. We never told them to go ask BM if they were allowed to talk to him...we told them to call the Privacy Department and verify. She refused.....



Anyhow - we ended up telling BM that all the steps we had to take resulted from her initial denial of assistance. That she would not allow updates to be relayed (she has blocked our cell phone and home phone from being able to call her cell phone) we requested to pull the block - she said no. She'd let us know if anything went wrong. Why would a parent not want to know how their child is doing - when they are involved with them as much as my husband is???? If he could have his kids 50/50 we'd fight for it. We even considered moving closer to get just that!!! But can't find any other reason other than the kids, and can't be promised the 50/50.......



We made it clear we wanted to call tomorrow to check up on him, and she's declined that. Said to wait till friday or the Sunday scheduled phone call.............GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Why???? Wouldn't a BM be glad to see that the father of her son was taking such drastic steps to make everything happen that he's entitled to? Especially when he is legally entitled to?????



But I must say I did not allow myself to get into a argument with her when she did call and my husband was not available (when I relayed the info about already knowing he was out of surgery and to call back in a bit) I left it up to my husband.....which she somewhat allowed him to explain...but ended up hanging up on him and not calling back to finish the conversation.....



I'm praying that we can stay strong as a team and go on with our efforts - without allowing her complaints to take any weight on our hearts. We haven't asked for anything far fetched. Or out of line.....soooo I look forward to our future progress......we being my husband and I......BM is just another person to deal with when fighting this battle to see the kids...

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13 Comments

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Catrina - posted on 05/29/2009

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Sandy -- thanks for your compliments! I understand that not only are the efforts relieving for us on this end, but comforting for my SS on that end. To be able to talk to all 4 people who are parents to you - 2 out of state. Shows love! Not in so many words did we express that "Boy did we have a hard time getting through to talk to you! But here we are! How are you feeling? Do you feel funny? Are you in pain....."

They will be in Court next month - and these types of situations will be addressed. There's no reason for any of this type of behavior. We've let so much slide and tried to work it out. There's no more luxury of that anymore. It's clear she has no intention of working with us, or correctly naming the children's father - let alone spelling (which added more loops to jump through to locate the file) Yeah know we've tried for 6 years to work together, and overlook things. I guess we've reached the point now that regardless what it is that's not being done - Court is where it'll end up. It sounds simple - a phone call missed. But when you go sometimes 6 months inbetween the trips, those weekly phone calls are a lifeline. Ya know???

Thanks guys for the support!!

Sandy - posted on 05/29/2009

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I'd say I love that the two of you went to the extent you did to keep on top of the situation while your son was in the hospital! Good on ya! You guys did everything you could do short of being there and despite the bm not liking it it will be remembered by your ss!! That his daddy and step mom were thinking about him and worried about him. Thats all that matters. What bm doesn't realize is that not only does she have to answer for all of this to the courts should it ever come down to it...but...one day when your ss is older and he finds out about all this stuff ( which they always do ), she will have to answer to him as well. Keep it up guys all your effort is not going unnoticed!! He knows you guys are there and that you love and care about him : ) Oh and I'm glad to hear he came out of everything ok

Catrina - posted on 05/28/2009

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Quoting Leaha:



Quoting Catrina:


Yeah BM seemed upset that we were actually able to excercise the rights he has. But as usual she also complained about me being the one making the calls to organize the connection. Any and everytime she can complain about my assistance, she will. I'll keep ya posted if we get a chance to talk to him....like I said he wasn't feeling so well, obviously the sedatives etc were too harsh for him. (Something I would have discussed with the Dr, and how his Father also had issues with surgery so it would be preferred if they gave him some meds to counteract the nausea) BUT we weren't able to. We won't even be given any paper work on the surgery and the restrictions placed on him...they'll be here in 9 days. But I guess that's per the Dr's unavailability to take the time to call us or get documents for us.

Strange!





 






I personally work in the medical field, and the hospital I work for IS NOT to permit any info to be given via phone to ANY family member other than MOM or DAD, That's standard HIPPA, so I'm surprised too that they let you the SM call and get info... just my 2 cents.





Leaha--- I know all about the HIPPA laws and was even reminded by the twit I spoke to at the waiting station. I have family in the medical field, as well as my Mother in law who's done all kinds of crap with HIPPA - so it's nothing we aren't aware of. It's getting around it by providing the proper documents.



 Not sure if you read my post or if I left it out - but my husband did suffer from a head injury Nov 2008 and even needed some reconstructive surgery to his face. But at no time did I personally ask for information or get a status update from anyone. I made the phone calls on HOW to get it started. What they would need in order for my husband -- his father -- to be able to get info and speak to his son after surgery. This was relayed to the privacy department as well as the Charge Nurse, and each time my husband first ok'd each person to speak to me because of his injuries. I'm simply a filter for him, as well as an agressive SM. I won't take no to an answer that I know he has every right to get access to.



But regardless - the medical records incorrectly stated just who the father was. So because BM falsified the documents - it made it harder on us. So initially they weren't even going to speak to my husband when he called.  So this all falls on BM being a twit as well and trying to completely alienate their father from their lives. Like I said, she expects us to only be involved when the children are with us, nothing more. When we seek any information we are harassing or threatening whomever we are seeking information from. Which is a load of crap. Why can't we know about the results of a soccer game? Or how they did on a test? Why shouldn't my husband be able to be on a Parent level with any professional involved with these children ------ as it is court ordered. BM just refuses to relay the information that would let us know that we need to act to get information.



But so with the regular Dr visits, I'm use to taking my 3 boys here yearly to get physicals. It's covered under our insurance, and I want to make sure they are all healthy. Especially if any are to play sports - as is the case with my older son. I want to make sure he's healthy enough to participate completely, and if not what are his restrictions. This is NOT something BM does. Like I said the previous Doctor's office who was their primary care Dr stated that they had not been there in several years. However BM states they have been to a Dr for their regular check ups and shots as needed. We can't seem to locate that info!



 



 



 



**** Lastly, my husband was able to call and talk to his son tonight. It was a short sweet phone call, nothing more. He was able to make sure that his son was feeling better and actually eating. Managing his pain, taking it easy etc. BM wasn't to happy with this call, but oh well! It's like he's damned if he does and damned if his doesn't!

Francesca - posted on 05/28/2009

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i work in the records department in our hospital and if both parents are on the childs records then they can ask how the child is doing over the phone. and yes if the child hasn't been to the hospital in 3 years its put on computer.

Leaha - posted on 05/28/2009

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Quoting Catrina:


Yeah BM seemed upset that we were actually able to excercise the rights he has. But as usual she also complained about me being the one making the calls to organize the connection. Any and everytime she can complain about my assistance, she will. I'll keep ya posted if we get a chance to talk to him....like I said he wasn't feeling so well, obviously the sedatives etc were too harsh for him. (Something I would have discussed with the Dr, and how his Father also had issues with surgery so it would be preferred if they gave him some meds to counteract the nausea) BUT we weren't able to. We won't even be given any paper work on the surgery and the restrictions placed on him...they'll be here in 9 days. But I guess that's per the Dr's unavailability to take the time to call us or get documents for us.

Strange!


 



I personally work in the medical field, and the hospital I work for IS NOT to permit any info to be given via phone to ANY family member other than MOM or DAD, That's standard HIPPA, so I'm surprised too that they let you the SM call and get info... just my 2 cents.

Catrina - posted on 05/28/2009

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God forbid either of them get poison oak while camping, or a spider bite, or some cold where a simple Dr visit would suffice. Just 1 more thing on the list of things she will have to answer to in court....I can't wait to hear her reasoning for yesterdays craziness. Especially the emails we have "I am there to tend to B's needs, and am all the support he needs. So if he feels up to it when he gets home, I will allow him to call you"

Catrina - posted on 05/28/2009

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Yes BM is a control freak to the point of - you should only know things about them when they are with you, or when you call on Sundays. Nothing more. We had to fight her in court about the fact that my SS was playing sports and she didn't tell my husband. We wanted photos, an extra medal etc. All things that can be done. We aren't the only family in the world who face these situations! Heck I got the idea of doing all the extras from my brother!

I'm so use to her, I can call her actions before it'll go down. Which is why we had the papers not only emailed to the Privacy Department, but Medical Records as well so we can get a copy of his entire medical file there.

My SS had a Lipoma - a fatty tumor thing on his chest. My husband and I noticed it during the summer of last year. Mentioned it to BM and was concerned about it. Awkward to have this mass on the outside of his chest. She took him to the Dr. (didn't tell us until 6 months later where the Dr was etc.) So we got the info in January 2009. Got in touch with them, the normal "we can't talk to you until we have papers" phrase. So it took sometime, I had been in and out of the hospital at the beginning of the year so we were consumed with that. But we were asking for the info because she took him in July and when he came out for Thanksgiving - it was still there and looking a little larger. Again we told her. Than ultimately this past Spring Break he was hit it in playing basketball and immediately dropped to the ground in tears. We looked at it and played around with it trying to see if it had now been causing him pain - previous it was just there. No pain.

I must mention that BM has refused permission for us to take either child to the Dr except for emergency treatment only.

So they also had gone to court within this time frame that the kids were here for Spring Break - so she knew right away that it was now painful. She made the appointment, and he was seen by a different Dr when he returned to BM. Surgery was recommended because it had tripled in size (why would you not know this when you have your child daily for 3-6 month periods?)

The phone call yesterday was so complicated - I was even passed to BM's mom!! I asked who I was speaking to and the lady told me B "A's" mom, can I help you? (can't help but laugh at it) They even threatened to call security on my husband. WE WEREN'T THERE - WE'RE 2 STATES AWAY!!!!!

But yeah the kids previous Dr, they haven't been there in so long that their medical files are in storage boxes at another location. They advised that it's at least a 3 year time frame that passes then they store the records. My thoughts were had these children undergone regular yearly physicals (especially my SS since he's playing sports) that this could have been caught a lot sooner! Like is that neglect or what?

They made and incision on his left side and almost like sucked it out, however it was larger and inbetween his ribs so it took a little longer to get out. Sad, because it wouldn't have been so invasive had BM been on top of it! After he was initially seen - she left stating no need for a MRI or X-ray etc - that she'd watch for it to grow or cause pain.

They will be in court again while the kids are here this summer, they just were there in March. Like I said I've got my husband on the page of taking care of business and taking names later! We know BM is not willing to assist us, we know her words can not be trusted, and ya know we'd feel much better hearing the words from the Medical team who treated my SS rather than from BM (blond - no offense to others, but I do believe she fits the airhead stereotype for her lack of knowledge or way of catching onto things) It's the only thing I can attribute to her lack of everything.......

Debbie - posted on 05/28/2009

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I'm glad to hear that your SS is doing well after his surgery. BM's just dont get it do they? They like to have controll and they also like to have a dig at the Dad's and they will make life difficult just so that they can. Now if you didnt go to the avenues that you did to talk to SS then she would have been ticked off because you didnt care.

You done the right thing and keep on at it, don't let her control the love your hubby and you have for your SS.

Sonya - posted on 05/28/2009

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I don't know what it is when your in a hospital drama always happens and I think no drama should go down in a hospital I remember when I first saw my SK's BM I was in the room with my SD my husband had brought my SD to the emergency room she was having difficutly breathing and the whole time she didn't look at me and was making smart-butt remarks on how he wasn't taking care of her and letting her get sick and the whole time I was just talking to my SD and so was my husband all she wanted to do was act like she was the perfect parent even though it looked like she was kinda drunk already it was a friday night but I just don't understand the need for drama the focus is suppose to be on the children when they are sick I just don't understand but that is great that everything went well with your SS and a lot of these post are right she wants to be in control allllll the time and if she's not then she feels like she has to start a war, you are a very mature person and I bet you that kills her maybe the fire in her will die down after a while hopefully.

Francesca - posted on 05/28/2009

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evening catrina, glad your ss is doing ok. i would say keep doing what your doing. bio mum def has control issues. and what she is doing is controling what you and husband do.what did your ss have done?? you and your husband have as much right as bio mum.in our hospital as bio mum is on the boys paper work she is the one they contact so my husband never gets told if the boys have had anything done to them. my ss is going tomorrow to have his ears looked at. just hope bio mum tells my husband everything.

Jaime - posted on 05/28/2009

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The phone call stipulations is all about the control issue again. Doesn't matter that they will or could be sitting at home, doing nothing at all they still do not answer the phone.

Do you have a dr. in your town that would possibly be willing to see him for a quick check-up, and explain limitations to you? I would like to think BM would give you a list of limitations, meds etc... as she would want to make sure he won't hurt himself so soon post-op?

Remind me again what surgery he had? How about researching it on the web, better to be safer than sorry! Or what about a telehealth line, do you have one of those you could phone?

Catrina - posted on 05/28/2009

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We were instructed to call Friday after 7pm. I guess we aren't suppose to be concerned or wonder how he's doing the day after surgery. My husband is going to try and call anyhow. More stuff on her plate to answer to....



Yeah BM seemed upset that we were actually able to excercise the rights he has. But as usual she also complained about me being the one making the calls to organize the connection. Any and everytime she can complain about my assistance, she will. I'll keep ya posted if we get a chance to talk to him....like I said he wasn't feeling so well, obviously the sedatives etc were too harsh for him. (Something I would have discussed with the Dr, and how his Father also had issues with surgery so it would be preferred if they gave him some meds to counteract the nausea) BUT we weren't able to. We won't even be given any paper work on the surgery and the restrictions placed on him...they'll be here in 9 days. But I guess that's per the Dr's unavailability to take the time to call us or get documents for us.



Strange!

Jaime - posted on 05/28/2009

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So glad to hear the surgery went well, it is always a scary thought going into the OR.

BM sounds alittle perturbed that she lost the control in the situation, she probally never thought you would beable to make arrangements for info with the hospital, and like the thought of you having to come begging to her for info.

Stay strong, from our chats it seems like you are doing everything and anything to see those kids, they are pretty liucky to have you in there lives as is your husband!

Chat again soon. How is your SS doing today? or was it not a day to call and find out?