hi there.
I am goin to see prof Birch(i do not have a date yet) but this is the 1st time that i will have seen a doctor about my arm.
What should i expect??
Michelle -x-
what should i expect??
Re: what should i expect??
I am so happy that you are going to get an appointment.
Expect to be nervous! That is normal for the very first time you meet and "expert" on Erb's Palsy - OBPI.
I was so nervous I forgot all the questions I had.
Make a list of things that you really want to know.
There are no silly questions.
Michelle a few years ago I posted that I would hold things in my hand and not be aware that something was in my hand and could walk around for long periods of time with something in my hand and not be aware of it.
At the time several OBPI/adults were posting to the board -THEY ALL DID THE EXACT SAME THING- Many times parents have posted that the babies were looking for their toy's and they were right in the bpi hand... it finally made sense to me...
So by asking what I thought was a silly question - I got some real information...
1 - Ask about PT needs - how often - what type ....
2 - Ask about OT needs -
3 - Ask about restrictions - should you carry heavy objects for prolonged periods of time etc... and if you need to have any disability stickers for car etc... I know you are 16 but here in NY where I live teenages get to drive during the day to school and work...
4 - Ask if he has any information on the extent of the birth injury - he may be able to get a copy of your medical records and this will satisfy some questions you may have now and in the future...
5 - Find out if there are any special educational programs you are entitled to or disability pension to help cover the costs of specail equipment.
I was not aware of the policy on education for disabled persons when I was young and I could have had a complete college education in US if I had applied. I was not aware that I was considered disabled... so I never filed for anything.
Remember Mr Birch is considered to be a fine physician by all those who have mentioned his name on the boards over the years and I am sure that he will make you feel comfortable.... Just remind him of your limited knowledge on your birth injury and that he is the first specialist you are seeing....
Read the Awareness material on the Babies
under Information for Parents - that material applies to us.
http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2001Rnewparentguide.html
Glossary of Terms - http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2001Rglossary.html
I know this sounds like homework but it is not... it is just learning about your own body and how it is effected by this injury.
Learning the Terms really helped me when I started to speak to doctors about this injury. When you become familiar with the terms you are better able to ask questions and understand the answers.
Some of the terms on the Glossary I had never heard until I was an adult... and I also had to learn them - but a better educated paitent is a happier one because you understand just exactly what the doctor is talking about - he does not have to waste time explaining all the terms and can spend better time on your exam and on creating a program for you to give you better use - less contracture's and less overuse on the healthy arm...
I hope this helps a little... and again I am so happy that you are getting a good evaluation.
Keep us posted as to your appointment date....
Kath
Expect to be nervous! That is normal for the very first time you meet and "expert" on Erb's Palsy - OBPI.
I was so nervous I forgot all the questions I had.
Make a list of things that you really want to know.
There are no silly questions.
Michelle a few years ago I posted that I would hold things in my hand and not be aware that something was in my hand and could walk around for long periods of time with something in my hand and not be aware of it.
At the time several OBPI/adults were posting to the board -THEY ALL DID THE EXACT SAME THING- Many times parents have posted that the babies were looking for their toy's and they were right in the bpi hand... it finally made sense to me...
So by asking what I thought was a silly question - I got some real information...
1 - Ask about PT needs - how often - what type ....
2 - Ask about OT needs -
3 - Ask about restrictions - should you carry heavy objects for prolonged periods of time etc... and if you need to have any disability stickers for car etc... I know you are 16 but here in NY where I live teenages get to drive during the day to school and work...
4 - Ask if he has any information on the extent of the birth injury - he may be able to get a copy of your medical records and this will satisfy some questions you may have now and in the future...
5 - Find out if there are any special educational programs you are entitled to or disability pension to help cover the costs of specail equipment.
I was not aware of the policy on education for disabled persons when I was young and I could have had a complete college education in US if I had applied. I was not aware that I was considered disabled... so I never filed for anything.
Remember Mr Birch is considered to be a fine physician by all those who have mentioned his name on the boards over the years and I am sure that he will make you feel comfortable.... Just remind him of your limited knowledge on your birth injury and that he is the first specialist you are seeing....
Read the Awareness material on the Babies
under Information for Parents - that material applies to us.
http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2001Rnewparentguide.html
Glossary of Terms - http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2001Rglossary.html
I know this sounds like homework but it is not... it is just learning about your own body and how it is effected by this injury.
Learning the Terms really helped me when I started to speak to doctors about this injury. When you become familiar with the terms you are better able to ask questions and understand the answers.
Some of the terms on the Glossary I had never heard until I was an adult... and I also had to learn them - but a better educated paitent is a happier one because you understand just exactly what the doctor is talking about - he does not have to waste time explaining all the terms and can spend better time on your exam and on creating a program for you to give you better use - less contracture's and less overuse on the healthy arm...
I hope this helps a little... and again I am so happy that you are getting a good evaluation.
Keep us posted as to your appointment date....
Kath
-
Michelle_16
Re: what should i expect??
Thanx for that information...thats great. Right now i am hyper and i havent even got a date 2 see him. I think when the time comes ill b nervous! WAY! but i jst cant wait. I had to pluck up the courage to mention it to my mum but i did and im glad of that!
You mentioned an exam! wot kinda of things does he do? Will anythin hurt?
Thanx again!
Michelle -x-
You mentioned an exam! wot kinda of things does he do? Will anythin hurt?
Thanx again!
Michelle -x-
-
KarenHillyer
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2002 1:49 pm
Re: what should i expect??
Michelle
sorry for the late response to your question, I have been on holiday.
Mr Birch will probably wish to examine you arm and shoulder movements, so it might be advisable to wear a camisole or t shirt under your top, in case he wants you to undress, it might make you feel less embarassed.
He will probably ask you to move your arm as far as it will go in all directions to assess your range of movement. It shouldn't hurt and is really only a guide to the recovery you have made already.
Also he often has students in the room with him - if you feel uncomfortable with this do ask him if they can leave. He may wish you to have a X ray of your shoulder done on the day too.
The consultation is quite likely to be only a few minutes long, so do make sure that you have all your questions ready to ask him, otherwise you might be in
and out of the consulting room in 10 minutes or so.
He may ask you to go and see the physio at the hospital on the day also - and that can sometimes involve a bit of a wait.
He is a lovely man so make sure that you ask him everything you want to know, he will be happy to answer
your questions as honestly as he can.
I wish you the best of luck for your consultation and I hope that you get the news you wish for
Karen
sorry for the late response to your question, I have been on holiday.
Mr Birch will probably wish to examine you arm and shoulder movements, so it might be advisable to wear a camisole or t shirt under your top, in case he wants you to undress, it might make you feel less embarassed.
He will probably ask you to move your arm as far as it will go in all directions to assess your range of movement. It shouldn't hurt and is really only a guide to the recovery you have made already.
Also he often has students in the room with him - if you feel uncomfortable with this do ask him if they can leave. He may wish you to have a X ray of your shoulder done on the day too.
The consultation is quite likely to be only a few minutes long, so do make sure that you have all your questions ready to ask him, otherwise you might be in
and out of the consulting room in 10 minutes or so.
He may ask you to go and see the physio at the hospital on the day also - and that can sometimes involve a bit of a wait.
He is a lovely man so make sure that you ask him everything you want to know, he will be happy to answer
your questions as honestly as he can.
I wish you the best of luck for your consultation and I hope that you get the news you wish for
Karen
Re: what should i expect??
Try not to worry too much about it Michelle...as Karen says, Proff. Birch is a really nice man; he's like everyone's favourite uncle, and very easy to talk to.
Let us know when you get a date to see him...hopefully it won't be too long.
Take care
Liz B
Let us know when you get a date to see him...hopefully it won't be too long.
Take care
Liz B