Today I finally got Charli's bloodtest done. After her one year checkup, we were supposed to get a bloodtest to check lead levels and some other stuff, so we went right over to the lab to get it done. Unfortunately, they said we couldn't do it then, because it was too close to Thanksgiving and they wouldn't be able to get the blood to the place that does the analysis before the holiday, and after that the blood would be too old for the test. I knew that meant we were never going to get around to it, but what can you do? So we went home. As expected, we never could quite make it back to the lab until recently, when it was almost time for Charli's 15 month checkup. Once I had relocated the lab test request form, I realized we actually could take Charli to the office close to us, which has a lab too, rather than going all the way across town to the one we were at before. Also, the lab was open on the weekend! How convenient! So we went last Saturday, after I called to make sure the lab was open and there was no line or anything. We got there, and were basically told that they don't do the lead test on Saturdays either, fresh blood required for test not good on weekend takes too long to submit come back on monday. Rargh. I had even mentioned the tests Charli was supposed to have to the person I spoke to on the phone, but she was just an answering service and couldn't really be expected to know the intracacies of all the tests. So we went home again.
Third time's the charm. Carolina had to come with me since Brian was at work, to hang out with Charli while I signed forms and got insurance cards xeroxed. They actually take the blood out of the vein, so I had to hold Charli in my lap (with pacifier and stuffed animal, too) while they dug around in her arm a bit. She was really great - she cried, but it was more of a low cry of pain than the terrified screaming she does at the doctor's office. I wonder if she would be better with the shots if they let me hold her for that, too, rather than stretching her out on the table?
Today is also the day of Charli's first "run up to Sam and hug her" incident. Sam was thrilled. :)
4 comments:
I think I read something somewhere in a recent medical journal that having parents hold their kids when inoculations, booster shots, etc. are being given is considered a better way to handle things--less actual pain for the kid; more rapid recovery.
Yes: I'll bet Charli running up and giving Sam a hug was great!
it was! unfortunately, it hasn't happened since... but charli and i are officially buddies now. even though she doesn't run up and give me hugs, she plays around my legs and crawls onto my lap sometimes. awww... (mom and dad, it took about a month for charli to get comfortable with me, so be prepared for korin to use this fact to try to convince you to move out here!)
Sam and Charli bonding reminds me of my situation when I was a baby. My anut Agnes lived with us because her husband was in the war. My mother really appreciated the help since she was 42 when I was born. I always had a close relationship with aunt Agnes because she always thought of herself as another mother.
I think it is neaat that Charli has a relatinship like that too.
Next time, just tell the Dr. you're holding her and when he sees how much easier it is for the child (and him,too), he'll suggest it to all his patients. You can be the instrument for good! Sam, I can just imagine what a thrill it was to have Charli run up and hug you you...I'm so envious of that! But,I'm so happy it was YOU!
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