I had to take Greta in for a potential arm/wrist injury yesterday, and Clara came along for the ride. Because, while exposing one child to the bevy of immune system destroying germs in the pediatrician's office, why not just do both and make it a two-for-one. Greta's wrist turned out to be okay, the dr. didn't think it needed x-rays, and said it was probably just a sprain. Which, I figured, but her school really thought I should get it checked out. Ho hum. And to think, I had big plans for that $25.... At least the visit redeemed itself as I was able to get not one but BOTH girls their flu shots. The past couple of year, we haven't been able to get the flu shots until mid-late October, so it hadn't even dawned on me until I heard a nurse mention it when I was scheduling the appointment. (The flu is already going around in the schools down here -- all kinds of flu, yes, that kind too -- so I was keen to take advantage of getting their shots now!) Clara endured the shot like a trooper. Her tears were over in seconds, which is pretty good seeing as she's had quite a year with doctors. I gave her full permission to scream, wail, flail and generally flip out over this shot. In fact, she handled it far better than I would. Which, you see, I am not rushing into my doctor for a shot.... But that's another story.
I had promised Greta that when we went to the doctor, she would not have to get a shot. P-R-O-M-I-S-E-D. BUT....(I love how when you're a parent, you can overrule anything previously said and no one -- meaning little children-like people-- are allowed to challenge, complain, questions or otherwise rationally overreact.) So when the nurse was ready to pull Greta's pants down I hurriedly said, is this the flu mist? Because if that's available I think that would be much easier. (Meaning...please dear nurse, please do not force me to deal with two screaming children and then expect me to carry them, my bag, this paper, and then pay for this visit at checkout. Do it for me, please. I'm begging you here.) "Oh," she said ever-so-cheerily, "sure not a problem." WOOOOOWWWWW! Not a problem!?! Alright, the nasty side of me wonders why they even HAVE the shot for children over 3. I mean, seriously. Is there any child who actually prefers a shot when they can just SNORT THEIR MEDICATION UP THEIR NOSE???? How simple. How wonderful. How wonderfully simple! AND WHY CAN'T I DO THAT WHEN I GET MY FLU SHOT? WHO DO I HAVE TO TALK TO ABOUT THIS?
And snort she did. And off we went. With a shiny sticker to boot. AND, they said they were trying to hurry us out because there were so many sick children around so we didn't have to be around all of those germs. Under 30 minutes from start to finish.
This is one of those instances, when I just wish I had this little stack of Thank You cards in my purse. I could just randomly hand them out to people. Because sometimes, words just aren't enough. Thank you pediatrician's office. Thank you.
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