United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

EllenL:
The problem with your theory is that it just doesn't jibe with what the medical professionals themselves think is the prudent thing to do.

Our children don't have a simple broken bone, they have a complicated injury with lifelong implications. If YOU don't want to learn the intricacies that's fine, but you should listen to more than one doctor who HAS chosen to study those intricacies.

And your argument that those of us who seek multiple opinions don't have "better outcomes" has less to do with the number of opinions and more to do with the level of injury our child incurred and how well a particular course of action worked. Believe it or not, but not every person who seeks multiple opinions chooses surgery. And those who seek multiple opinions might get differing views on which surgeries would be helpful. And so they choose one. And hope for the best.

If my child were diagnosed with a life threatening disease, I would seek multiple opinions...and choose a course of action...and still the outcome might not be good. Granted, bpi is not life threatening, but why the choice to not get more information? Since most doctors will take videos for evaluation, where is the problem? I chose to go across the country, but the doctor I went to told me I could send a video. It doesn't has to cost a lot of money to talk to other doctors. But it does take some time. And frankly, that is time that I do choose to give to my bpi child. And the research that I did on epilepsy while my son had it, was worth the time there too. And what I learned at that time, was that my local neuro was doing the best thing that could be done.

I continue to believe that multiple opinions only serve us BETTER, not worse.

claudia

But...why should I have to seek another doctor if I'm satisfied with the doctor we're seeing and my child is doing well? What if I go to another doctor and they recommend something completely different? Trust me - if I were not happy with my child's progress or something didn't ring true I wouldn't hesitate to seek other opinions. I just don't know that it's absolutely necessary for each and every child to visit multiple doctors.
I think it shows a certain lack of understanding on your part to assume that all families can take on what is involved in getting multiple opinions. Sure, videos. So would you take a doctor's advice to have or not have surgery purely based on a video? Of course not. You'd hear what he had to say and then decide whether or not to make the trip. Like I said, not everybody can do it.
And I didn't ever say multiple opinions made things worse. I only hoped to give a voice to parents who haven't chosen that route. I apologized in my previous post if I offended anyone, but your self righteous attitude isn't exactly one that encourages a give and take conversation either.

Anyway so much for the discussion on whether or not to get a second opinion. That is open to the parents or the child depending on age.

Beth, How did surgery go. Both Beth's I guess. Hope you are all doing good after the long stressful day. Hope all went well and I pray for a speedy and good recovery.
Sue

To Beth Ritcher:
Wow didn't know such a simple question could start such a debate huh? Sorry you're question didn't get answered! Anyway's, my daughter had the TT 17 months ago, so I can tell you all I know. There are 4 incisions made. 3 on the back, all near the scapula, and one in the front around the clavicle. Have you watched the funny little video on his website? That explained the most for me. I needed visual aids. You can see where the bones are pre surgery and then again after. As far as the TT I have NO REGRETS!!! Vallen's function is AMAZING!!! Plus I have the before and after catscans to prove it does exactly what he says it will do. I really struggled with the decision to get the TT as it was kinda new and there was so much controversy over it. I got a copy of her catscan and watched it hundreds of times before. It's clear that something needs to be done. Dr. Nath did Vallen's prior 3 surgeries, so I was confident it him, yet I still questioned the surgery. Personally for us it was a wonderful decision. And seeing her catscan after surgery and comparing the 2 is just WOW!!! Recovery is long with this surgery. Vallen was 8 when she had it done, and when she came out of her splint she was old enough to realize that she had "lost function" from being in a splint for so long, and the botox hadn't worn off yet. So it took a lot of encouragement. But the results really are amazing. My husband and I watched her video the other day that I made before surgery. We tend to forget how much function she has, so it helps so much to video. Anyway's, she can do so so so much more now, and the position looks a million times better! I can't really say there is anything she can't do. So I hope this helps some. Good luck to you!!! Please feel free to email me if you have any more questions!
raindrop26@cox.net

Yes Sue. you are absolutely right.
Ditto on Sue's post to both Beths -
best wishes to you both and to your children as well.
Godspeed.

And to raindrop-
I think your post was exactly what Beth was seeking.
Thank you.
And again, my apologies if my comments caused the post to veer from it's intended path.

this is Beth from Georgia, Hannahs surgery went great, she is very sore but happy! we are thrilled with what Dr. Nath told us and we look foward to a full recovery..she does have to wear the splint for TWO years at night...but it is soooooo worth it, thanks guys for your thoughts and prayers.....BETH, how did your Hannahs surgery go??.hope it went well for you

this is Beth from Ga. Hannah is home and doing very well she will wear her splint for six weeks then at night for the next two years..she dosent seem to be in much pain, she is playing with her two year old brother and dosent seem to even be bothered by this huge splint..dr. nath did an incredible job and i have no regrets about having this surgery. i am only thinking about her future and as her mom its my job to make sure she is given every opportunity to succeed, with a man like dr.nath i feel she has a great chance to recover fully from her injury