Ethan had his dreaded 4 year check up yesterday. I had been dreading it for weeks. I left Caleb with my mom and brought Mondo along for support. Ethan didn't know we were going until that morning. He didn't want to go because he didn't want the "stick in his mouth". I think he remembered back to when he had a strep culture done.
He weighed 40 pounds, and was 40 inches tall. His weight was in the 75th percentile. The doctor said, "He's always been on the stocky side...and muscle weighs more than fat." Mondo and I have actually been thinking that he looks taller and skinnier...just has a little rootbeer belly. ;-) His height was in the 50th percentile. He can now go to a booster seat for the car. Luckily his carseat is a 3-in-1 so it goes up to 100 pounds.
She tested his strength which he thought was pretty fun. He had to make strong muscles while she pushed against them. He had his vision and hearing tested. Both were fine.
I told her he was worried about the "stick" in his mouth. She told him that he was old enough to open wide so he wouldn't have to do that. He was thrilled.
Then came the bad part...4 shots...2 in each leg...and a TB test. Of course he was crying and pleading for the nurse to stop. Then on the fourth shot he cried out, "that's enough!" SO SAD!!! Then it was off to the lab for a blood draw. He was still traumatized when we got there so I wasn't too worried about the blood draw...then the lady came out and said, "it will be a 30 minute wait or you can bring him back tomorrow. The lab tech who does kids just went to lunch." We were thinking...'seriously, you just have ONE person to draw blood on kids???' So, we went next door to the hospital and had some onion rings. Of course in 30 minutes he was fine again and ready to go home...then we walked back to the lab and the tears and begging started again. He used to not be bad with needles until his ordeal with pneumonia last summer. Now he's traumatized for life. The blood draw was just a finger stick but he still cried the whole time. Poor little critter. He'll never want to go to the doctor again.
We bought him a small toy when it was all over. Poor baby needed it. :-) He's doing fine now. I told him he didn't have to go to school today if he didn't want to but he wanted to go. He was even riding his tricycle in the driveway before school. I'm just glad it's all over...until next year...or until he gets sick again. The doctor said he won't gets shots again until he's 14. Yea!!!
2 comments:
Maddie was totally traumatized by her 5 shots. She got them in her arms. She still tells everyone I got about 5 shots at the doctor yesterday.(it was actually Sept. but to her everything was yesterday). Since her visit we have taken Anna a couple of times and as soon as we walk in she tells Dr. Rogers "I am not getting any shots today". I don't think they ever get over it. Motrin is your friend!
Poor baby! I've been wondering how his appt. went. Blaine hasn't been the same since. I told him at the time that he wouldn't get shots again until he was Hilly's age...which was 14 at the time. Now that he's 14, I'm dreading it but I hear it's not nearly as bad as the 4 year old stuff. I'm glad it's over for all of your sakes!
Ann
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