H1N1 vaccines were being offered at Josh's work today. The kids were just updated on all of their shots a few months ago (including seasonal flu shots), but the H1N1 was not yet available. They are still talking about the trauma. Yaks insists he can still "see dah hole" that the needle left in his leg. Boo insists her leg still hurts. Did I mention it has been more than a month?
I kept seeing all of the stories on the news of the fatal cases spreading across the nation. The fact that Josh works on a college campus made me even more nervous about us all getting sick. So we decided that as painful as it would be, for peace of mind, we'd get them done.
(cleansing breath)
While we were loading up in the car, Yaks brought his foam sword. I asked him what he brought that for and he said, "Tuh fight the doctor! If she shots my leg, I will fight her!" Oh, my gosh! We left the sword in the car. We filled out the paperwork and the tears and yelling started. Josh and I went first and I can honestly say that it didn't hurt! It really didn't! Yaks had his shot done, and although I'm sure it didn't hurt him THAT bad, you would have thought they had cut him open. YELLING. TEARS. RED FACE. Boo became more unglued than she already was - backing up against the wall, SCREAMING. It reminded me of trying to bathe a cat. It was horrible. They were feeding off of eachother's anxiety and together we couldn't seem to stop it! At first people were amused, but then it was just downright uncomfortable. We tried reasoning, hugging, bribing, distracting, convincing, taking a short walk. Nothing worked! I wasn't much help with Diddles strapped to my chest in the backpack. I made a dash for the stairwell with Yaks in tow (past a room where they were having a staff meeting - hi dudes!) and eventually got him to calm down.
I wasn't there for Boo's shot, but Josh said it was CRAZY. She was thrashing and kicking and screaming, and even tried to run. I've never seen here like that before! Poor child. She got her shot and our "party" finally made it down the stairs. We got them each a cookie at the snackbar. As we were walking down the hall, Yaks started complaining that he didn't get his sticker which reads, "I had my flu shot today!" Are you kidding me? Fortunately a college kid overheard our conversation, ripped off his sticker from his shirt and handed it over to Yaks. Bless you, college kid!
Josh headed back to work (lucky guy), and we made the drive home with promises of warm baths in the jetted tub, popcorn and a movie. I need a treat! And a sticker! And a nap!
6 comments:
Oh, I'm so sorry. What an event.
I found a way to numb the pain. Here's what we did: we waited in line OUTSIDE for 3 HOURS in the cold. Freezing cold. (Mom forgot a coat for the baby, too. Luckily I had an emergency blanket in the car.) By the time we got in the building and up to one of the 25 shot stations for our shot, my kids were still thawing and I think that helped with the numbing. :) I also think they were so glad to be inside, that it took the fight out of them.
oh Amy!
What a painful experience...FOR YOU PARENTS. Like a cat against the wall/sword of defense/screaming past the staff meeting. That was rough. I'll find a sticker and mail it to you!
Thankfully, my girls got the nose mist. Having just had her 5-yr old pile of shots, Meg didn't want to participate with the H1N1 either. As soon as they knew the nose mist was the option, we survived.
Oh . . . WOW! You and Josh certainly earn some of your parent badges the hard way. I'm so sorry, but it did remind me of when (and even sometimes now) when I would have to clip Abbey's toenails, yes, I said toenails. I remember Brett lying across her body on our bed when she was two and VERY strong and me trying to grab her foot and hold it still long enough to quickly clip the toenails, that, by the time we got to them, were growing into her skin. She would NOT calm down. It still is quite a chore to get her to do it, but thankfully, she isn't screaming and flailing about during the ordeal. If it makes you feel any better, my oldest daughter kicked the nurse when she got her kindergarten shots.
Oh Amy, I feel your pain. I don't know that our experience was quite so bad (outside of waiting for 3 hours in 30 degree weather -- like Steph said, I think the kids were partially numb/paralyzed from that part of it) but it still wasn't pretty. WE're going tomorrow for dose #2. My kids are going to die when I tell them we have to do it again. In the cold. In the long line. Ugh.
Just caught up on your blog. Diddles looks just like Jane, Your house looks nice too. Thanks for posting. someday I will get good at that!
I am afraid that I am laughing! And blessing the college student who must have little brothers or at least nephews. The part about giving a cat a bath was the perfect imagery for the situation!
As a comment on the last post, I have to say that North Face is the BEST brand for cold winter gear. I wear it on my head, my hands, my body and my legs, as do all my children. We are always toasty and ready to play in the snow. Good luck!
Post a Comment