A Visit to the Doctor

Yesterday were Zac and Seth's 9 year and 7 year well-checks respectively. This doctor's visit has been anxiously anticipated ever since I scheduled it a month ago, because that's when the guys have to get The Poke. It's the annual antibody check that will need to be done every year for the rest of their lives, but, like many of the fears that haunt us, the anticipation is much worse than the actual event. We have been praying earnestly for courage from God at night, especially for Seth. So in we went. The measurements are always fun...Zac is 85th percentile for height and 55th percentile for weight. There may have been some hunching going on...he was measured at 4' 8" at school, but he is about 4' 7" at the doctor's. Seth came in at the 20th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight. Perfect for each of them!

The examination went well, and then came time for The Poke (oh...and a Hep A vaccine on top of that!). I requested two nurses Zac went first. He had discussed his plan of action for coping with me beforehand. He had his book of 8000 Facts, in which he would engross himself to the point he would be paying no attention to the pain in the crook of his arm. I was going to sit next to him on the examination table. But the nurses had him lie down for greater stability as the inserted the needle. As I got up, he raised his head and said in a slightly nervous voice,"Mom, are you going to stand by me?" A treasure for my heart--this is the kid who cringes now when he has to get a "girl hug" from Mom! So I stood by his head and supported his book and talked to him as those blessed nurses made quick work of their duty. No tears--victory! Now it was Seth's turn. Seth was clutching Quilly (his LittleKinz stuffed dog). His plan had been to "pretend like he was going to "go to sleep" so he wouldn't feel the pain, but reality and panic were setting in quickly. Every muscle of his little body was tightened and his face was strained. Once again I stood at his head and we read a book as I stroked his face and talked to him. He let out an ear-piercing screams at each poke, but was actually surprised that the nurses had drawn blood AND given him a shot within just a few seconds. Again--victory! Last year, I physically restrained him as he thrashed and the blood squirted. Not my favorite memory.

We finished our day with congratulations served up with McDonald's fries and a hot fudge sundae. God is good.