ONE MOM'S LETTER To The Doctor Who Cut Her Son
/To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to you on behalf of my 3-year-old son. He is an amazing child. He is full of energy and life. He has always been a blessing to my husband and me. Since the day we found out he was coming, we were ecstatic to be welcoming another addition to our family. He was born PERFECT on August 19th, 2012.
You may be confused now. See, the reason I am writing to you is because on August 20th, 2012, my perfect baby boy was taken from my hospital room, strapped down, and mutilated surgically for NO REASON at all other than the pure ignorance of our society. I was misinformed on the “benefits” of circumcision and was not fully informed of the risks of this unnecessary procedure.
My son was returned to me and the nurse said, “Oh he did great, didn’t even cry . . . ” Now that I know better, I know how stupid that sounds. He didn’t even cry?! Probably because his little body was in too much pain and going into shock from the lack of proper anesthesia. I was not informed that the tissue that was being cut off was healthy tissue. I was not informed that the procedure that was done has killed babies. I was not informed that the proper amount of anesthesia could not be used due to how little he was. However, I was informed that he “loved the sugar water.” Sugar water?! That’s the medicinal pain blocker that was given to my neonate to handle the pain of a scalpel slicing off the fused foreskin.
My son did not show any signs of immediate complications . . . But here we are, three years later, dealing with penile adhesions, painful erections, and a child who is terrified of his penis because it is painful. All of these issues could have been avoided by not circumcising him. The risks of not circumcising him with the adequate knowledge of proper intact care? None!
Now, having thoroughly done my research and having found an online community of other parents who regret their decision, I have learned that these complications aren't rare, they are just rarely talked about.
I am requesting that you research the benefits of the foreskin, the benefits that my son and all the other boys who you cut for no necessary reason, will not be able to reap because of the procedure you performed on him/them.
I am also requesting that you educate parents more thoroughly on the subject at hand and let them make an informed decision.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.