Hi All,
I really appreciate all of your support re my client with the nurses who are
screwing things up for her baby, going against Drs orders, etc.
If it were me, you all know that I would have had a lawyer a long time ago
and all Hell would be breaking loose.
Sadly, my client is too scared to do anything at all.  I have recommened
that she talk to her social worker/patient advocate for help, and to talk to
the Dr about why these people are going against her wishes, and also why are
they giving her info that is completely wrong and putting her baby at risk.
However, she and her hubby are not able to do this at this time.  Babys
Grandma has been the best advocate they have, but even she is becoming
intimidated by these people.  Mom is still pumping, but only visits baby
once a day for about 2 hours.  This is down from being there most of the day
and part of the night.  You can see what they have done to this poor 22 yr
old mom.  It just kills me that there is nothing else I can do.  Having just
lost one baby, she is terrified of losing the remaining babe.  I feel like I
have my hands tied.

I want to get your input and opinions on something, if I may.
As a CLE (only) I have been told/cautioned by my mentors to keep my place in
the role of counselor.  I can be supportive and understanding to mom
({1}"Yes, I understand how frutrating this must be for you.  Why don't you
ask your Dr why he thinks ABM is better for your baby.") rather than come
out and say the truth of the situation ({2}"Your Dr may be doing his best,
but new information and studies have proven that EBM is much better for
preemies, and that ABM can put them at serious risk for a number of
problems.  Let me get you some articles to show your Dr, or better yet, ask
him to provide you with articles to prove his point.").  I know that I
shouldn't say that the Dr is an idiot (even if I think he is) but am I
really doing my clients a good service if I stay with my first example?  My
thinking is that I can help my clients help themselves better with example #2.
Since I am not an HCP or an IBCLC (yet) what is the full extent of my role
as counselor to these clients who need accurate up to date info and aren't
getting it from their Drs?
I am very frutrated right now bc I want to do all that I can for my clients,
but,as I said, some of my mentors have recently "tapped my wrist" for giving
my current client too much info (re: pos law action against Dr, info on ABM
vs EBM, Vit D, and trying to give her accurate info {tho I must admit it is
conflicting with the Dr info.)
Help!
Jay
Jay Simpson, CLE
Sacramento, CA
"No Miracles performed here, just a lot of love and hard work."