Thursday
Dec112008
Hey Man, Nice Shot
Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 12:49AM | Mr Lady 
Those are two of my children. They are at the doctor. Why do I care? Because the last time one of them saw a doctor, she looked a little more like this:
Yeah, it's been 2 years and 4 months. The whys are too complicated to even begin getting into, so you'll just have to trust me. I had a reason. That reason no longer applies. And we have some catching up to do.
Her baby book is empty on the pages for height and weight, though quite full on the ER visits, so I'll call that a wash. I've just figured that if she outgrows clothes on a regular timeline, she must be doing okay, right? The one thing that I can't reconcile is her immunizations. Those are way behind, and it sucks hard when you get way behind.
You know what happens when you go 2 years and 4 months without immunizing your child, and the one time you do when she's one year old it's under ever so shady circumstances and there are no records anywhere of what shots she actually had? Your doctor tells you to come back when she's 12.
Or your newly found Canadian doctor will decide that he's just repeating her 18 month shots. ALL OF THEM. There are 3 that he can't repeat if she got them at 12 months, because of course Canada and the US have different immunization schedules. What is a 12 month shot in the US is by no means necessarily a Canadian 12 month shot. That's just what I need, more complication.
The nice thing is that since I haven't taken her to a doctor for 2/3 of her life, she doesn't know that doctors stick things into you, and she thought that going to the doctor was just as much fun as going to Disneyland.
Poor thing had no clue what was coming. Look how excited she was. Until the doctor gave her a flu shot, a measles shot, and a couple more shots that I just can't remember. What I can remember is the screaming. My boys were totally used to shots by the time they were three. They flinched, they got their popsicle and we were on our way. This baby? Screamed like I have NEVER seen her scream before. My heart? Broke into 8 million pieces for her.
He wasn't being seen that day, and WOW was he happy about it. The doctor totally snuck a flu shot in on him when he wasn't looking, though. Spreading the joy, that's what christmas is all about.
So everyone got an injection, my girl came home with a small case of the measles, and this is what we were up to at 11:45pm a few nights later.
That's a Tylenol bribe. A "Please child, for the love of god and all that's holy, take some medicine so you can sleep already" bribe. It didn't really work, but now she knows that Tylenol gets her treats and that one in the morning is a super fun time to be awake until, and I know that I will never, ever skip another shot again for as long as we all shall live.
Reader Comments (57)
Oh man, shots suck. And my kids have had 'em all along, so I can't imagine. Hey, your pics are so glowy like old movies. Is that cell phone cam?
Raging Dad wrote..http://ragingdad.net/2008/12/10/naughty-best-be-extra-good/" rel="nofollow">He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice, but because one cannot be certain of his criteria you best be EXTRA good
I stopped vaccinating after a year. You know you can totally do that, no problem, here, right? And no one will think anything more of it than you're a bit 'o a hippy?
Zoeyjane wrote..http://mommyismoody.com/2008/12/09/on-my-birthday/" rel="nofollow">On My Birthday
Most of them are necessary but man do you feel evil when you have to do it! Bless her little heart! :(
Special K wrote..http://specialk513.blogspot.com/2008/12/hes-3-today.html" rel="nofollow">He's 3 today!
Shots suck, but they're better than the alternative, ya know?
heather... wrote..http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/2008/12/stir-crazy/" rel="nofollow">Stir Crazy
Okay, I feel really bad now.
My kids generally don't go to the doctor. They're healthy and all that measuring and stuff is pointless. If they get sick, they go to the doctor. Even then they have to be pretty sick. I'm rambling.
What I was going to say is that with each of them (there are 4) I have gotten more and more upset about having to give them their shots. My youngest is 6 mths, she's missed two lots of shots so far on the Australian schedule. I will do it. I just am having a hard time picking up the phone. You're supposed to worry less with each child, right?
Ali wrote..http://callapippertree.blogspot.com/2008/12/wow-youre-old.html" rel="nofollow">Wow, you're old!
Remind me to tell you my story of when MOTY took me for shots at 7.
I am still scarred.
And how can that damn child still look adorable at 1am?
Kelley wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MagnetoBoldToo/~3/479967919/" rel="nofollow">Santa can bite my smooth white arse.
I know her pain. I behaved in the exact same manner when I got my flu shot last month.
lynette wrote..http://myundercoverlife.blogspot.com/2008/12/girl-who-crieddivorce.html" rel="nofollow">The Girl Who Cried...Divorce.
OK, I have to admit to really wanting to know the story about the no doctor visits... my wife is like the medical visit Nazi, so I want to know about her natural counterpart.
However, sick kid who won't take Tylenol? Doesn't she know it tastes like candy? My kid is actually becoming a hypochondriac because she loves the stuff so much.
SciFi Dad wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TalesFromTheDadSide/~3/479447552/ok-with-it.html" rel="nofollow">OK With It
Poor darlin. But that list picture is gorgeous.
perksofbeingme wrote..http://perksofbeingme.blogspot.com/2008/12/days-of-grace_10.html" rel="nofollow">Days of grace
Glad they're all caught up now. If it makes you feel any better, we live in the US, my kids have always gotten their shots on time yet still, at her 5 year check, my daughter needed 4 shots. 4! Crazy. That doesn't even count the flu shot. That appointment cost me a doll. She had welts and swelling on her legs for weeks. I guess my point is even if she had been getting her shots all along, she still could have ended up being a pin-cushion at this visit. Give yourself a break mom, we all do the best we can.
Mom24@4evermom wrote..http://4evermom.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-could-use-some-2020-hindsight-for.html" rel="nofollow">I could use some 20/20 hindsight for this one
My DS is way behind on his shots as well. I decided I wanted to wait till after 3 to finish them (he had up to 15 months). I plan on only doing one per visit when we get back to doing them. I was wondering if giving him a lollipop before the injection would help. Sort of like a surrogate nipple. I hear people sometimes breastfeed through injections to ease the pain.
wrongshoes wrote..http://wrongshoes.com/?p=789" rel="nofollow">The vision test results
Ugh, I hate watching my babies cry from shots.
Great pics though! You gots some beautiful children.
Youch! NukeGirl had the same reaction. The first time was one shot, no big deal; the second? 3 shots: 2 in one thigh, 1 in the other. She cried (and hobbled) for 2 days. Oh, and gave me "You're such a bastard!" looks for a week and a half.
NukeDad wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Nuclearfamilywarheadcom/~3/480659393/" rel="nofollow">God Bless Us, Everyone!
I'm so tired of immunizations. They keep adding more and more shots to the list of "must haves" and for things like Chicken Pox...seriously? Is it necessary?
Tammy wrote..http://thopgood-mylife.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-babys-six.html" rel="nofollow">My baby's SIX!
Oh I am with Tammy on this one... A Chicken Pox vaccine? Really? My daughter won't need shots again until she's 11. But that doesn't stop her from asking EVERY time we head to the Dr. even if we are just driving by. "Mommy, I don't need any shots. Right?" This has gone on for the last four and a half years. She had her last round at the beginning of Kindergarten. And it only gets harder. The older they get the longer they're mad. But you know, Good Luck and all that. ;-)
Daisy wrote..http://totallytattoedmama.blogspot.com/2008/12/yay-its-thurdsday.html" rel="nofollow">Yay, it's Thurdsday!
You have beautiful children. I've made all shots to my daughter but I am still not sure if they are really necessary. Doctors can save our lives but sometimes they consider themselves gods but they are too far from that.
kompostela wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DevelopmentToddler/~3/473549177/" rel="nofollow">Game to Develop Your Toddler’s Little Fingers Skills
I feel your pain - and theirs! I still remember how much I used to freak about shots when I was a kid. And as a mom ... it's so hard to watch your kids get them. Especially if they're screaming over it. (Which my daughter always did!)
Twenty Four At Heart wrote..http://www.twentyfouratheart.com/twenty_four_at_heart/2008/12/random-tidbits.html" rel="nofollow">Random Tidbits
I took my 18 month old to catch up on the shots he was too sick to get at his last visit and he was not at all impressed with the 4 different times they stuck him.
Poor honey. I hope she feels better soon.
Betsey Booms wrote..http://betseybooms.blogspot.com/2008/12/clark-thats-gift-that-keeps-on-giving.html" rel="nofollow">Clark, that's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year
Poor, darling 3of3. I understand the screaming though. I did that when the travel doctor told me I needed 7 shots for my trip to India. And which arm did I want 4 holes in and which 3?
No one offered me Tylenol bribes either dammit.
Ree wrote..http://hotfessional.com/2008/12/10/just-the-random/" rel="nofollow">Just the Random
my children are total freaks of nature. they don't cry when they get shots. none of them. what the hell is up with that? FREAKS.
i'm kind of a shot nazi with my kids and they are immunized for everything my doctor recommends. but we didn't do the chicken pox vaccine for the older two. and they got it. BAD.
ali wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/alimartell/mzqi/~3/478484254/" rel="nofollow">buddy the elf! what’s your favorite color?
At least it's over, for now anyway
WeaselMomma wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WorldOfWeasels/~3/473409802/fabulous.html" rel="nofollow">Fabulous!
arghhhhh...
the one that always got me was age 5. they get like a zillion shots (boosters and all kinds of other crapola they need to start kindergarten), and they KNOW what is coming.
my pediatrician's office strategized for several days before drama king's 5-year checkup. no lie.
the planet of janet wrote..http://www.fromtheplanetofjanet.com/2008/12/haiku-friday-scent-of-woman-edition.html" rel="nofollow">Haiku Friday: the scent of a woman edition
Beautiful kids Mr. Lady.
I barely survived my now 6-year-old's pre-kindergarten shots. I'm not sure who was crying more.
Shot life is now much better with my almost 18-month-old lil' dude. Last visit he got two shots....and absolutely. Not. One TEAR! Not a peep. Nothin.'
Loving that.
Lee the MWOB Queen wrote..http://momswithoutblogs.blogspot.com/2008/12/bloggin-business-and-praisin-loon.html" rel="nofollow">Bloggin' Business and Praisin' the Loon
My wife always makes me b the bad guy and take the kids for their shots.
Travis Erwin wrote..http://traviserwin.blogspot.com/2008/12/ho-frickin-ho.html" rel="nofollow">Ho, Frickin, Ho
Poor baby and you too. Hope she gets well soon and you all can catch up on your sleep.
One Mom's Opinion wrote..http://onemomsopinion.blogspot.com/2008/11/take-testcivics-quiz.html" rel="nofollow">Take the test...Civics Quiz
Poor girl. Somehow I was lucky enough from day 1 to convince my kids Tylenol was like candy. Which was really good until, you know, one kid was sick and not the other. Let the tears commence!
Colleen - Mommy Always Wins wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MommyAlwaysWins/~3/481733770/christmas-story.html" rel="nofollow">The Christmas Story
Moving from Canada to the USA I'm having the same issues. My kids are up to date with their shots but my daughter's school nurse, after letting her attend school for 3 months, suddenly got all suspicious and decided that Canadian shots were probably not good enough and she needed to have ALL HER ORIGINAL SHOT RECORDS RIGHT AWAY. So it only took me about 50 phone calls (no I'm not joking) between Saskatchewan, Ontario and our local doctor's office to get the damn records faxed through properly. And when they found out she hadn't had a Hep B shot they PULLED HER OUT OF SCHOOL part way through the morning - even though she's been attending school for three months without infecting anyone. I have been outraged ever since. And try calming a 5 year old down after she's been pulled out of school like she has fucking leprosy and feels ashamed because she's getting treated as thought she's done something wrong and telling her the solution to all this misery is a shot! Go ahead, try! I dare you!
Shannon wrote..http://www.livinginthegray.com/2008/12/10/bite-the-bullet/" rel="nofollow">Bite the Bullet
poor girl- my kids well the two oldest - SCREAM BLOODY HELL - my son will crawl under the table to hide - I have to have 3 nurses hold my daughter down. I practically have an anxiety attack when I know what is coming. I decided on the third baby to not vaccinate . . . she gets zero shots! Hope your little one is feeling better - and sleeping
Tiaras & Tantrums wrote..http://www.tiarastantrums.com/2008/12/dear-santa.html" rel="nofollow">Dear Santa ,
Yeah, I skipped shots for Baby Boy too and now we are playing catch-up. Heck, I freaked and paniced!! I have cause for it anyways.
Krystal wrote..http://mommysescape6.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/off-on-a-rant-again/" rel="nofollow">Off on a rant again!!
Poor sweet girl. I hope she's back to her sassy little self soon!
My 3yo daughter is an absolute conundrum; she screams when the doctor very gently and calmly examines her and then doesn't cry a peep when the nurse pokes her with a needle. At her 3-year check up, after the nurse left the room after giving her a shot, Zoe said "She was a nice lady." ??!? WTF?
When my son had his first shots at one month or whatever, THAT was the hardest. I made my husband go with me. He held me while I held the baby. Shots have always been the suckiest part of mothering.
Kate wrote..http://katescrazylife.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-day.html" rel="nofollow">My Day
i am just hoping i don't ever have to take one of the g-kids for their shots. i bawled like a baby when my dang animals get shots, i can't imagine taking a real kid :) and if you want to talk about stupid school requirements, i was going to class online for my associates degree, due to graduate last may. the school starts freaking out around feb. or so because they don't have record of my MMR or some shit. now, i've been to college already in florida. they know this. i was graduating in a few months. they knew that, too. i was taking ONLY ONLINE classes. yep, they knew that one too. so what in the beautiful did it matter if i had some dang shot?? i finally convinced them that i would promise to not breathe on anybody until after graduation and they bought it :)
nonna wrote..http://nonnasnonsense.blogspot.com/2008/12/where-id-like-to-bewednesday.html" rel="nofollow">where i'd like to be...wednesday
Oh dear, that's not fun.
Jaina wrote..http://girl-with-the-camera.blogspot.com/2008/12/help-me-choose-etsy-name.html" rel="nofollow">Help Me Choose An Etsy Name!
I am totally familiar with the heart breaking into 8 million pieces thing. Eight times my son has been taken away to surgery and my heart broke into so many pieces that it was pretty much just dust in my chest.
And, you can get Tylenol suppositories which are great when you have a kid who won't take oral meds. Also, the threat of Mom's fingers in her butt might just convince her the oral route is a better one.
My 4 YO is scared to death of the doctor's office. All those bad memories of getting shots. She won't even go if the appointment isn't for her. She freaks out when she hears other kids crying in the othe rooms. Luckily, she recently fell in love with her doctor so she is able to kind of hype herself up to go see her "favorite doctor" when need be. But I can still hear the slight panic in her voice when she talks about going. It's so sad, isn't it? I have having to bring any of them in.
Shere1 wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HisMineOurs/~3/466566169/hubba-wha.html" rel="nofollow">Hubba-wha?!
lol, poor kid, she totally deserved the treats. :) As for the 1am thing....ouch! I hate when your heart breaks like that and you feel like you need to spoil the kid. I have done that a time or two. My peanut had pnemonia last winter,(long story, but now we know she is allergic to cats.) being in health care I knew what was ahead. My husband is now forbidden from going into the labs, or xray rooms, and my lil me knows that if she behaves she will get a tasty sugary treat right after the tests and meds are done. She is partial to oreo's, and lucky for me, grandma sends a bag of mini oreo's home after every weekly visit. By the way, do you know anyone who could use a month's supply of oreo's?
super mama wrote..http://naturelovinsupermama.blogspot.com/2008/12/pathetically-out-of-shape.html" rel="nofollow">Pathetically out of shape....
Shots are the worst, when my daughter goes it takes two nurses and me to hold her down, she get so pissed that I expect her head to start spinning and spewing pea soup.
Funny thing is, I've been taking her with me to the doctor lately and she thinks it's great when I get a shot or have to give blood, she just smiles like I deserve it for all the hell I've put her through.
Allie wrote..http://fridaynightambulance.blogspot.com/2008/12/check-and-check.html" rel="nofollow">Check and check.
I am either lucky or cursed in that none of mine have ever really had a problem with shots OR taking meds. I foresee a future of heroin addicts, really, becaause even OWen sees the medicine spoon and starts smacking his lips like an alike looking at a Drambuie bottle couple with a slice of dark chocolate. not that I know what THAT is like. At all.
Kori wrote..http://korij.blogspot.com/2008/12/in-my-hand-i-have.html" rel="nofollow">In My Hand I Have....
Gabriel's doesn't need anymore shots until he's five. Which means that he'll likely be totally traumatized, going 3 years without and all.
MIss Grace wrote..http://www.missdisgrace.com/2008/12/paying-homage.html" rel="nofollow">Paying Homage
I hate shot time.. and I have it coming up again with my Donnie on Monday... this just made me not look forward to it even more.. ugh..
Hope she is feeling better.. :)
Kim wrote..http://www.joggingincircles.com/journal/2008/12/9/smell-mcdreamy-excuse-me-while-i-name-drop.html" rel="nofollow">Smell McDreamy - Excuse me while I name drop
Poor baby. But at least you got them all over with at once! That's some kind of consolation, right??? Well, SHE might not think so!!!!!
And you only had to make one trip! Saves on gas!
I thought I was the only one with vaccination issues! My middle child had a first set as a baby, no records we could find, and had to start all over at age 12. Boy, was she pissed. Now she is all up to date, but dreads any doctor's visits.
I`m so glad to hear someone else got behind in shots. My first born had to keep having surgeries, so he didn`t get any of his shots until his baby brother came along (which, honestly, wasn`t that long after he was born anyway). Then the stupid nurse at the health center here was very mean to me and started spreading some nasty rumors and I never took either of my kids back. :S They actually came looking for us at my HOUSE! And gave us all shots, me included (tetanus) and that was the last time my boys had shots . . . over a year ago.
The shots here are weird, too, they get a couple every two months until they are 18 months old and then another at 4 and that`s it! So, considering Dorian is now 3, he`s so far behind it`s not even funny.
Expat Mom wrote..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ExpatMom/~3/473766790/" rel="nofollow">Wordless Wednesday: Inexplicable Excitement
Awww poor thing. She'll never want to go to the doctors again. Good luck with that mom.
Miss wrote..http://justmiss.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/wordless-wednesday-under-the-sea/" rel="nofollow">Wordless Wednesday - Under the Sea
We don't do the shot thing anymore, but I can't even imagine lagging off for a bit and then trying to catch up. Especially going from one country to another that has diff "schedules". Poor kiddo, hope she feels better!
Ashley wrote..http://www.bosssanders.com/2008/12/10/19-weeks-pregnant/" rel="nofollow">19 Weeks Pregnant
My kids were up to date with their shots when we moved here. I mean, why not, when you are trapped in a tiny London apartment and the doctors office has lots of toys and is just across the street? Also, it was a requirement of our visa that all our imms be up to date.
We arrived in the US and handed over our shot records to the pediatrician, who somehow decided they were behind. I did sign some forms, and then three nurses burst into the room without notice, held my kids down and started jabbing at their legs with needles!
We changed pediatrician.
Sophie, Inzaburbs wrote..http://www.inzaburbs.com/2008/12/10/totally-random/" rel="nofollow">Totally Random
I'm totally curious about the whys of it all, but that's just me.
Riley once had 4 shots in one day when she was three - two in each shoulder - the little freak just watched and barely flinched! Sylvia was more like 3of3.
I think they're all caught up, but then again, I haven't taken mine to the doctor in a few years, either. We have health insurance - we just have to stop moving!
April wrote..http://formerlyaprildawn.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-without-gay.html" rel="nofollow">Day Without a Gay
My kids are on delayed immunization schedules, too. I feel your pain.
Natalie wrote..http://boingerhead.blogspot.com/2008/12/youtube-just-creeped-me-out.html" rel="nofollow">YouTube Just Creeped Me Out
I don’t like the doctor much neither.
I blew out my left shoulder in some freak sleeping accident and can’t raise my arm high enough to scratch the fleas.
But my beard looks good
Audubon Ron wrote..http://ducksmahal.blogspot.com/2008/12/who-started-christmas.html" rel="nofollow">Who Started Christmas
ah, poor wee girl. it's so hard listening to them scream too eh.
that's rough. i feel your pain. i got behind a bit too so you are not the only one. the most shots she got in one sitting is three shots. followed by a lollipop.