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| The Voice of Towne Lake | |
The Flagship of Around Town Community Magazines | August 2008 |
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Dr. Litrel- A Baby Named After Me
by Mike Litrel, M.D.As far as I know, only one baby has been named after me. It was during my residency training at Emory. I delivered a baby to a woman I had just met, and afterward she thanked me and told me she was planning to name the baby after me. I said I was flattered and honored. Then she asked, “How do you pronounce your name?”This confused me. How many different ways are there to pronounce Michael? It turns out it was not my first name she was bestowing on her child, but my last. She spelled it differently. I feel sorry for the boy somewhere out there named Lutrelle, who must be 14 years old by now. My good friends and neighbors Valorie and David Duckworth were expecting their first child this May. In the absence of an emergency, I make it a point not to take care of friends and family. And given the nature of my medical specialty, most friends and family make it a point not to see me. So when Valorie became pregnant she chose to see my new medical partner, Dr. Jorge Lense. Jorge is an outstanding physician and gifted surgeon who joined me last year from a prominent Orlando practice. This kept everything simple. Valorie was a friend, not a patient, and Dr. Lense was her physician. I could act like any supportive neighbor, stretching out on the Duckworths’ couch and watching the Braves with David, seeing Valorie’s belly grow through the spring, and listening to her complaints about just how miserable she was. I knew she was in capable hands. The truth is, I worry about every pregnant patient up until the moment the baby is healthfully born and the mother is safely through. But in my role as friend I kept my worry to myself. Valorie had told me early during her pregnancy that she loved the name “Michael.” Finally — my golden opportunity to have a baby named after me. Unfortunately, David was not as enthusiastic. Although steadfastly polite, he was adamant about his preference. And that was even after I assured him I’d settle for Michael Joseph Duckworth — rather than my first choice — Michael Joseph Litrel Duckworth. Valorie went into labor on May 17. It was a Saturday, and our associate Dr. Peahen Gandhi was covering Labor and Delivery. Dr. Gandhi is a wonderful doctor with tremendous skills, compassion and generous warmth. I knew Valorie would do very well with Dr. Gandhi. But until the baby comes out, it’s an obstetrician’s job to worry. Both Jorge and I called Dr. Gandhi several times throughout the day to check on Valorie’s progress. I was having dinner with Ann and our neighbor Yasmin when Dr. Gandhi called me. Valorie had stopped progressing, and it was clear she needed a C-section. Dr. Gandhi said that Jorge was out to dinner with his wife Beverly celebrating their wedding anniversary. Seeing I was Valorie’s friend, she asked if maybe I would like to assist with the C-section? We had been planning to visit Valorie and David that evening anyway, so I figured I might as well help with the surgery. Valorie was already draped and prepped in the operating room when I got there. After 12 hours of labor, she was exhausted. But she smiled at me when I said, “Hello,” just before I scrubbed for the operation. Although I’ve done this operation about a thousand times, I must admit I was nervous doing Valorie’s surgery. I always say a prayer before surgery, but this time I prayed a little extra. And I am grateful that the operation went very well, and Valorie’s baby was safely born. So congratulations, Valorie and David! And Happy Birthday, Carson Edward Duckworth! Or, as I’ll always think of you — little Carson Edward Michael Joseph Litrel Duckworth.
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