7/11/03
Jon frames it like this: ...Greg, I think it's possible for Deb to be a fan of "The Little House on the Prairie," but still want to be heavily drugged while the doctors cut her open and remove the spawn of your loins.
Like I have a say in the matter. I don't get to decide whether or not Deb is anesthetized (or whatever you want to call it) prior to her procedure. However, I'm sure you'll agree that, when we get the hospital bill, pain management will take up a sizable chunk of what we owe.
I'm not demanding that Deb forego an epidural and all subsequent pain medication. I'm merely suggesting that my wife keep an open mind when it comes time to employ these luxuries. Maybe the baby doctor could start the incision and see if it really bothers Debbie. I think the medical community as a whole is pretty presumptuous when it comes to a patient's tolerance levels. It's like adding salt to your entree without tasting it first.
I'm sure to some this may sound like a rationalization but I believe the more you have to endure for something the more valuable it becomes to you. This is a baby we're talking about. Doesn't Deb deserve the opportunity to immerse herself in the complete depth and breadth of this experience? Of course she does. And paying for expensive anesthesia would simply be cheating the woman I love.
I'll be there for my wife throughout the entire child birthing event (scheduled for July 30). At that time I'll present these points to our baby doctor (Dr. Stoffel). I'm sure she'll agree completely and work with me to help convince Debbie that anesthesia for Cesareans has always been a boondoggle for the medical industry. Deb's agreement to refuse pain medication will help blaze a trail for all pregnant women shackled by myths perpetrated by the big business of hospitals and pharmaceutical corporations to suck hard-earned pennies from the bank accounts of countless numbers of American families.
We'll use the money we save for a new computer.