Doctors Who Are Heroes

My rage at one podiatrist should never be misconstrued as an attack on doctors in general--particularly given that podiatrists are not MD's. Throughout my son's 24 years, dozens of talented, (real) doctors have operated on and cared for him, and we continue to rely on them. A handful are my heroes. While working inhuman hours and juggling impossible patient loads, they remain brilliant practitioners who have the added, priceless gift of compassion.  Others probably should be on this list, but the following are the rock stars who will forever be in my heart:

• Dr. Don Van Schenck, my son's first pediatrician for 10 years, whom it broke my heart to leave when our health plan dropped his medical group. No one ever fully took his place.
• Dr. Mel Heyman, my son's GI extraordinaire, Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition at  UCSF, leader, teacher, founder of Gut Gang IBD camp, a god to the mother of every IBD patient who knows him, yet always available when we need him.
• Four elite surgeons in three different departments at UCSF and Stanford Medical Centers. Despite stellar track records, their surgeries ultimately failed in one way or another; but their efforts were justified, worthy, and at least caused no harm.
• Dr. Chipps and Dr. Miller at Capitol Allergy and Respiratory Center, who were always there for us during some difficult years and often provided primary care when others dropped the ball
• My son's current PCP, who recently accepted him as a patient despite his complex situation, who has gone above and beyond in helping us, and who also has an amazing staff.
• Dr. Eric Giza--orthopedic foot & ankle specialist at UC Davis, who has been brilliant, efficient and compassionate despite an obviously crushing workload. In our book, he walks on water. Sadly, he could not work a miracle for us.
• Dr. Demian Rose--department chief at UCSF's Langley Porter hospital, who somehow found the time to see us immediately and spend four hours with my son in his initial three appointments.

I would also include the experienced and generous podiatrist who provided a detailed written description of several ways in which this "experimental" surgery departed from standard of care, for me to submit to the Podiatry Board; but for obvious reasons, I will not do so by name.