My 6 year old son has recently had a substantial upswing in seizure
activity.  After a seizure last week that lasted more than 20 minutes
he was hospitalized and the subsequent EEG, for the first time, showed
some abnormal brain activity.

All of our communications about seizure incidents, medication levels,
etc. are fielded by our Pediatric Neurologist's nurse, who relays
information to the neurologist and then relays instructions back to
us.

I find it extremely unsettling that we are NEVER allowed to talk
directly to the doctor except at scheduled clinical appointments (2 or
3 times/year) -- which have always occurred at times when my son is
having no particular problems.

Is the procedure I'm experiencing typical?  When I recently suggested
-- politely -- to the intermediary nurse (who is excellent) that I
thought that a 20 minute plus seizure, hospitalization and an
irregular EEG would yield some direct contact from the treating
neurologist, I was told that the neurolgist simply does not have the
time to talk to all of the patients/parents on the phone.

I don't want to be unreasonable but I'd like to know if others have
greater access to the doctors treating their children.

Thanks.