My first visit to the Naval Hospital

My first visit at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital.
Thankfully, it went much better than I thought it would.

I say that because the Naval Hospital is usually a topic highly debated among Marine wives. Some hate it. They will tell you that you’ll only get the worst care at the Naval Hospital and would rather die before stepping foot in one. Others are on the completely opposite of the spectrum and absolutely love going to the Naval Hospital.

I’ve always remained fairly neutral. I’m not a fan of how they schedule appointments, and I was once assigned to a doctor who I thought might have actually pulled their medical license out of a Cracker Jack Box, but it was only that one PCM (primary care manager) and honestly you can find those type of doctors in the civilian world as well. So I can’t say that I’ve ever hated going to the Naval Hospital. I was weary before going on this visit, though.

Partly because of the talk and rumors, and a few comments I’d heard here and there about Camp Pendleton’s Naval Hospital. Partly because going back to a Naval Hospital was once again new territory for me, as recruiting duty had left me and my children seeing civilian doctors. Mostly, though, because this visit was for my girls’ 9 month check up and I was worried about who their doctor would be and all the uncertainties that come with starting over in a new place.

Their doctor, a female naval officer, was great. More than great. She was awesome. She listened, which is very important and nice to have, and communicated. She took her time and never once made me feel that she was on a schedule and I, or my girls, was just a number to her. She truly, genuinely cares and relates. Basically she showed all of the qualities that I’ve always wanted in the doctor that was to be the PCM for my children. But the greatness doesn’t stop there. Oh no. She completely made my day on this visit.

While talking about the girls’ eating habits, and any issues they have had I told her what formula the girls were now on, and what the previous doctor had once had them on. I use Gerber (was Nestle) GoodStart. I used this formula for Logan as well when I stopped nursing him. Our pediatrician we last had wanted the girls to use Nutramigen. I could sit here and tell you all of the pro’s and con’s of both formulas and why I will always choose GoodStart, but I won’t. At any rate, I told her that after a while I didn’t see a need for the girls to use Nutramigen and went ahead and changed them over to GoodStart and unless medically necessary I am not changing them to any other formula. (I don’t know why but I really felt the need to show that as the parent I’m the boss and putting my foot down on this issue) You know what she said to me then? Of course you don’t that’s why I’m about to tell you. Lol

“GoodStart is the best formula out there. It’s the next closest thing to breast milk.” And all at once a huge hole burst through the ceiling and a bright golden light shown down on this sweet, angelic woman and I could hear the harps playing and….
Er… It was pretty awesome. I was completely blown away by her saying that. This bit of information I had known all along. In the quest to make sure my son would be using the best formula and the next closest thing to breast milk I did a ton of research. In the end GoodStart permanently won my vote. I hated it when my girls were put on Nutramigen, and in the pit of my gut I knew it was wrong, but I was too intimidated to question the doctor so I later changed them over without discussing it with him. And then to finally here a doctor say what I’ve always known to be true and longing to hear?!?!?! Golden. Priceless.

And she didn’t just say that because of my trying to take a stand and show her this Momma means business. No, anyone would have known she was honest and genuine. She wasn’t bought out by reps forcing their brand down her throat. She was completely real with me. (are reps even aloud in Naval Hospitals?)

This made for a really great ice breaker with the Naval Hospital. Still not a fan of how they schedule appointments, but with knowing that my kids have an excellent pediatrician overseeing their care I can overlook that.