8-13-09

The downside of going to ‘Big School’ is a shock to all in earshot

It seems that over the past few months, my family and I have been in doctors’ offices every week.
For one reason or another, everyone has taken a turn, some of us more than others.
Personally, I never care one way or the other if I have to go. Sitting in the waiting room means I have time to read, check e-mail and maybe play on Facebook for a few minutes.
My children don’t feel the same way but I am sure once they get to the age that they have a handheld device in their possession, it will change.
Nash isn’t that bad when we go. She still doesn’t know what’s coming until the nurse comes in with a tray of needles that somewhat resembles a cigarette girl from days gone by. She quickly remembers her last visit and starts into shriek.
“DaaaaaAAAAAdeeeeeEEEE!”
Ethan has never looked forward to going to the doctor. He has kicked and screamed from day one. I always had to take him when he was a baby because Leigh couldn’t stand listening to him scream and cry.
I remember one time that he had to have a couple of vials of blood drawn. He was putting up such a fight that the nurse put us in a chair, had me hold him and still strapped BOTH of us down.
Ethan was mad at me for about three days after that.
This year has been a bit of a turning point for Ethan.
This year marks his leap into the N.C. educational arena.
He is going to “Big School.”
No more naps, no more snack time, no more all day recess, no more fun.
Ethan is excited.
We have noticed that he likes to help out setting the table, getting things for his little sister and even cleaning his room.
I asked him why all of a sudden he has decided to do these things.
“That’s what big kids do,” he informed me.
Two weeks ago, a little hesitation surfaced when he found out that he needed to take one more trip to the doctor to receive a few “School Shots.”
The little scholar took it with stride and said, “Well, that’s what big kids do.”
Last Wednesday Leigh and Ethan walked through the double doors to the Children’s Center and that’s where the fun stopped.
“MOmeEEEEE!”
“I DON’T WANT SHOTS. I hate shots.”
Leigh and the nurse tried to calm him down and must have done a good job because no one got strapped down.
The nurse began the shots and Ethan began to yell again.
“STOP.”
“It hurts, your hurting me.”
More nurses came in as the first shot was completed.
They then tried to explain that the next would be quick and wouldn’t hurt.
“I don’t want it,” Ethan yelled.
“Hold still,” said the nurse.
Ethan replied with, “I HATE NURSES. I HATE THIS PLACE.”
Leigh tried to rationalize with him by telling him that Ms. Amie (our neighbor who is a nurse and our family doctor during weekend emergencies) is a nurse and that she is nice.
“I like Ms. Amie, but I hate THESE nurses!”
By this time the shots were done, half the nursing staff was laughing and looking in.
He made it through the shots once again and is now ready for “Big School.”
I am sure that in the years to come, he will get better at going to the doctor and dealing with procedures that he doesn’t want to have done... I sure hope so. Could you imagine him at age forty five getting a colonoscopy?
Bryan Pinkey can be found apologizing to nurses or at bpinkey@nccox.com.