Shots Phase One

Oh, what a dramatic day! Today, Son had her five-year-old annual check up. She is in good health, of course, but part of her check up was giving a urine sample. All I gotta say is have you ever tried to get a 5 yr old girl to "go" in a cup? She told me "Mommy! I am supposed to go in the toilet, not a cup!" Son said, "I'll do it!" I don't know if he was trying to be helpful, or was just facinated with the idea of having something new to "aim" at.

Daughter was due for two shots. She is a very brave girl, and didn't even cry! She is now finished with all her childhood immunizations. Yay!

While we were there, the Doctor reviewed Son's immunization records, and decided Son should have his last two shots, the same Daughter had, so that he will have the complete Polio and DTP series before we go to Ghana. He said we could do it now or later. I opted for now. Son is NOT a fan of shots, so we might as well get it over with.

I told Son that he was going to get two shots, and that this was for Africa. Once he got these two he would only have to do three more, and then he would not have to have any more shots until he was a grown-up. AND, if he was really brave, we would go to McDonalds for lunch. My speech was not enough to comfort him. As soon as he saw the nurse come, he took off down the hall. I caught him, and laid him on the table. I had to hold his whole upper body and arms down---it took me laying over him and holding his hands to keep him from getting up. The nurse had to sit on his feet (after two kicks from Son) to get him to hold still so she could give him the shots in the thigh. He is crying, face beat red, and screaming, "Don't make me do this! Mommy, why are you doing this to me!" Ten seconds later, the shots are done, and after about two minutes, he has calmed down. The dramatic ordeal is over, and he is rambling about which Happy Meal toy he hopes he gets.

Both kids have three more shots to get, which will all be at diffrent times and places, so we get to do this all over again three more times in the next six months!

A really big answer to prayer came today, regarding recommended vaccines. One of the recommended vaccines for travel to Ghana is Meningococcal. This vaccine is normally given as a childhood immunization at the age of twelve, but can be given as young as two. At the travel clinic the shot is $220.00 per person, and not covered by insurance. Their Doctor said that he would give it to them, which means that it will be covered by our insurance. He said he could also write their perscription for Malaria pills, saving us another $20.00. Praise the Lord!