Annual Check Up and Those Shots

Today Olivia had her seven year and Evan his four year check ups. Both of them are healthy and here is the stat:

Olivia: Height – 52" (132 cm) & Weight – 69 lb, top 5%

Evan: Height – 42.5" (108 cm) & Weight – 44 lb, top 10%

When I called for the appointment, I was told that Olivia wouldn't need to have any immunization shot until she turned 13 but Evan had to have four today. Ouch! The poor thing! I was afraid that he would give me a hard time coming in if he knew what he was going to get, so I didn't even try to prep him for the shots while Olivia was pretty happy coming in thinking she would be safe.

However, after the pediatrician reviewed their records, he found out that Olivia had missed her booster shot for Hep A and Evan didn't have to have those four shots until he turned five but the doctor strongly recommended him getting the 1^st shot for Hep A today.

Well, since they can not avoid it, I guess that's fair enough, one shot for each.

But once Olivia learned she needed one shot, tears immediately welled up in her eyes. "I don't like to get shots!" her voice started to choke. I knew she became very afraid. Evan, to my surprise, seemed indifferent to the news, probably because he had forgotten how it felt.

So I concentrated on consoling Olivia:" Honey, I know you are afraid, nobody likes to get a shot. But it is important you get it as it will prevent you from getting serious disease. The shot will be very quick, you will only feel a pinch, and it won’t hurt at all after that." I know no matter what I said, she was so worried at that point that nothing would make her feel better.

The doctor then asked: "So who is going to be the first?"

Immediately, Evan pointed to his sister: "Olivia!"

"No! Evan first!" Olivia protested. But it got vetoed by the pediatrician. "Yeah, Olivia, why don't you get it first, you are the older sister." He then stepped out of the office.

Tears started to roll down Olivia's cheeks, she came over and said: "Mom, I need to sit on your laps to get the shot."

"Sure, honey." I let her and held her tight.

The nurse came in with the two vials and as soon as she took the syringes out of the cabinet, Olivia lost control of her sobbing and by the time the nurse pulled her sleeve up and disinfected her arm, she started bawling and cried out very loud which made Evan frowned his eyebrows, looking puzzled and somewhat scared but he didn't cry.

The shot was so quick, it was over like in one second. I said to Olivia:" See, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

While still in her loud crying voice, looking very sad, Olivia said something which made me laugh. She said: "You are right, it didn't really hurt."

"Ha, I told you! So why are you crying like a baby then?" I gave her a hard time.

Embarrassed, she started to laugh…still in her crying voice though.

Then it was Evan's turn. I really think he has forgotten how the shot felt like, plus Olivia said her shot didn't hurt, so he was all calm until the needle went into his arm and it seemed that it stayed there a little bit longer too. Evan felt the pain, looking very wronged and started crying.

He turned to me saying: "It hurt!"

"I know, I know, but it's over now, honey. You won't feel the pain anymore. "I consoled him.

"But it still hurts!" He was very upset until the doctor came in again with some tattoos.

On the way back to daycare from the doctor's office and even after I picked him up after work today, he kept on telling me: "Mommy, I am not going to the doctor's office a-n-y-m-o-r-e. They poked me and it hurt!"