Update from Woo Hell

First Irony:

My home page quote of the day was:

"Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones.

- Bertrand Russell"

I have now had my brother's baby for 6 weeks (less three and 1/2 days).

My brother has, thus far, refused any and all standard, mainstream medical treatment.

I spent a week bullying my brother for the baby's healthcare card. (Keep in mind he still wont let me take the crib.) The trouble is that the little one is screaming his head off with each and every bowel movement. I noticed what appears to be a small anal tear when I changed his diaper. He also has not seen a doctor since he was 6 weeks old.

Finally, last night, my brother relented. (I shamelessly bribed him with a ride). So this morning we headed off to the local clinic with the baby and his health care card.

Interestingly enough the doctor we saw at walk in also happens to be my brother's doctor.

He had many questions for me-he was very concerned with my brothers well being. The oncologist has been trying to set up appointments for my brother. I shared what my brother had told me (that he cant go until his social worker arranges for his plane ticket to get there).

I told the doctor I will pay. Just get him to agree to go. It sounds to me as if the doctor has been calling, and his calls are being ignored.

The kind doctor looked at David. He explained the tearing is from being constipated, and will take some time to heal. He prescribed a topical cream that will relax the anal muscles, numb the area and allow it to heal-as well as a medicine to soften the babies stool (not a laxative).

We reassured him that yes, we were feeding the baby properly at our home.

I get home and call my brother and let him know what the dr says. He says to go ahead and get the prescriptions. (Gee thanks bro, would have done that anyways). I tell him that his trip is all set, but that he needs to let his doctor know that he is going to GO.

He says he needs to know that the treatment wont make him loose anymore weight-he is pretty sure he wont survive if he looses any more weight. I point out that the cancer will kill him faster than weight loss. He ignores me and continues on about how much weight he has lost and blah blah.

At this point, I just gave up. There will always be an excuse. There will always be a reason why he wont get help.

He then asks me to keep the baby for a few more days. (still no crib)

I think I am going to have to go to court and keep the baby.