I'm Shot!

The Bible says that a "greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends." I believe that the parental version is this: "greater pain hath no parent than this: that they have to hold down their small child for three big shots."

Now, I know...she hasn't experienced the half of the pain if that's what she thinks...but today, for me, it is absolute truth. Caleb & Micah both had Dr's appointments today. It was one of those "Oh, Lord, I hope I made the right decision about this doctor..." kind of appointments. This was the first time we've been to him and, to be perfectly honest, under my strong and confident exterior was a Mom who was really wondering on the way to the clinic if she'd made the right choice. I've been to Dr's who have not a care in the world for what the patient thinks and I find it difficult enough when it's me I'm having to defend...I can take quite a bit before I get testy ...but these are my babies we're talking about now! Mr. or Ms. or Mrs. Dr. who doesn't want to take seriously the concerns of MaMa Duck ain't getting too far into the little pond, if ya know what I mean! I'll have those little ducklings to another Dr. faster than you can shake a tale feather! (okay...enough of the cheesy animal analogies!)

SO, ANYWAY... We got to the clinic, checked in, handed the receptionist all our paperwork and sat and waited a while. (not too long since we were the first on the books for today...yea!) We went back to the little room and the nurse had some forms for me to sign and yada-yada-yada. The boys were themselves ~ active and curious ~ and I was hoping this was going to be a relatively quick morning appointment. In by 8:15...out by 9:30. yeah. right. The Dr. came in and he was very nice. (whew! Thank You, Jesus!) He has three boys of his own and is very understanding of parental concerns and questions. As we talked about Caleb's allergies and Micah's endless green nose all fears I had about the decision I made were laid to rest.

So, as I said earlier - both boys had to get shots. Caleb simply had to get his 5 year old shots (he's 5 1/2) and Micah hadn't had shots since his 9 month check up. (I KNOW! I beat myself up enough for all of us so just don't say it!) :) Thankfully at three years old you don't get any shots so he simply had to play catch-up. Caleb was first up to bat. After his eye test and all the typical checks - ears, nose, throat, etc. - on both boys the Dr. left and Nurse Meanie Pants came in with these two innocent looking plastic tubs. She carried weapons of terror in those tubs. They were long and rather innocuous looking tubes, but on the ends were needles at least 10 inches long! No, seriously. I didn't look at them because I hate needles (don't ever tell my boys that!) until she was getting ready to stab my oldest child and then it was a quick glance as I prayed desperately that it wouldn't hurt for some odd reason ~ surely God would have mercy on my child and take the pain away, wouldn't He? I told Caleb it would just prick a bit and then it would be over (was that a lie?) and then I asked him to name all the brave people he could think of. Now, I was hoping to hear things like "Daddy, Mommy, PaPa Pete, PaPa T, etc. etc. etc." However, I took it all in stride as he began his litany of superheroes..."Superman, Bibleman, Spiderman, LarryBoy..." (yeah, I have to agree...there's something odd about hearing a talking cucumber be referred to as brave...but, hey! He's five!) So, the first one went in and his lip quivered and he said "ow"a lot but he held it together. "Way to go, Bubber! You did it! You were as brave as Superman! Okay...let's look over here now...don't look at the needles...look at me. Who else is brave?" Just as he started to say "well, Spiderman is brave" she jabbed that saber into the back of his upper left arm and he jumped and started to WAIL. Oh, my. Houston, we have a problem.

When he jumped the nurse jabbed the needle a bit and then tried again - not good - that immunization was ruined. After what seemed like 15 minutes but was probably more like 2 he was calming down as we prayed for extra courage to finish his shots. Earlier, when we were talking about getting shots he was initially saying he didn't want any shots. I reminded him that in order to go to Kindergarten he had to have his shots. Ah! Mother of the Year Award! I said the magic words that made it all worthwhile! Well, after Nurse Wicked-Witch-of-the-West practically amputated my sons arm I reminded him of it again in the form of a question..."Caleb, do you want to go to Kindergarten in the fall?" Now, what child in their right mind would answer affirmative to that question after being stabbed? Thank God my child has a brain! His immediate response was a firm and decisive shake of the head. Take the award back...words are just words. The nurse had to leave to get a new needle of the immunization that ended up leaving two big bruises and lots of blood on my sons arm and when she came back in I was in position. She stood behind him as I cradled my left arm around his head and pressed him lovingly to me (while firmly keeping his right arm immobile) and held his left hand with mine telling him to squeeze my hand if it started to hurt again. Nurse I-have-the-worst-job-in-the-world wasn't as mean so much as she was praying she wouldn't shake as she stabbed my poor innocent baby again, and within 30 seconds both shots were in, Caleb was wailing again, and I was fighting not to join him. Ah, one down, one to go.

Micah was next. Now, before the nurse (she really was not mean at all...) came into the room I was contemplating how to do the shots. Caleb tends to be a bit more dramatic in his reactions to things (I have tried to figure out where that comes from!) but Micah is younger so I was trying to decide who could be the "tough role model" for the other guy. Well, of course, Caleb was the logical choice, but after his experience I was understandably worried about Micah's response to his turn. Thankfully his shots would all be on his left thigh and I could sit down and hold him on my lap for his shots. However, we don't call Micah "Bam-Bam" because he's a little girly-man! I was in for another fight and struggle as I put his legs between mine and held his hands in mine and wrapped my arms around him so his arms formed a make-shift straight-jacket. Nurse I'm-praying-this-one-goes-better was armed and ready and went Bam! Bam! Bam! on my little angel's leg as he cried and screamed and fought to be free. Within 45 seconds the entire ordeal was over and other than two little boys laying on the floor acting like they'd just been run over by a Mack truck and my own eyes fighting back the urge to spill forth everything was A-Okay.

I had promised the boys breakfast after their shots - their choice - so after filling a couple prescriptions we were off to Krispy Kreme. We really should have headed to Red Robin or something since it was closer to lunch than breakfast, but why not? We all just endured a traumatic moment in our lives and why not put them on a sugar high and give those immunizations something to work against? :) I don't remember the last time we had donuts and I really don't care what anyone thinks ~ those boys deserved some sweetness in their lives today. *wink & grin* And, yes, if we were in Texas we wouldn't have gone to Krispy Kreme, Aunt Mary! :)

I feel like I should go warm up the Karaoke machine with a Gloria Gaynor tune (she sang, "I will survive" for those of you unfamiliar with the disco era), but instead I think I'm going to go warm up my side of the bed. Before I go, though, remember this: You can do all things through Christ's strength ~ I'm living testimony to that today! If it weren't for Him I would've been on the floor with the boys wailing over the pain of life right along with 'em. Goodnight...