Payton's wasn't really that bad...but, I can actually still remember getting my 4 year old shots...and the limp that came with them!
Payton's visit went great. Being a pediatric nurse, I tried to think about all of the ways that parents seem to prepare, or rather, choose not to prepare their children for shots. I put all scenarios together and I decided that it would be best to wait and tell Payton that he would "maybe" have to get a shot at Dr. L's office. "Okay" he said. I told him it might hurt for 1 minute and that if he needed to cry it would be okay. "I'm the big brother, I won't cry!" Sweet boy!
Payton's stats from the visit:
Weight - 39 lbs
Height - 41 inches
Blood Pressure - 92/68
Heart Rate - 78
Hemoglobin - 14.5
He is in the 75 % for heigh and 67 % for weight.
This was his first time (outside of having his tubes placed when he was 2) that he had his BP checked in the office. He did great. He was perfectly still! I'm not sure I've had more than 10 patients under 10 ever sit that still!
He had a finger prick for HgB....ouch! That hurt...but no tears!
They tested his hearing - and, I'm always a little nervous about the hearing test because my grandmother and her brother were both deaf - he passed with flying colors (or loud beebs?!?!). He had a hearing test with the ENT when his tubes were placed but this was the 1st in the office.
Next up....vision test....perfect!
Finally, he got to pee in a cup! He also had to do this once before when I suspected an infection...but that time was all luck...this time, he was a champ.
Clearly, he is a big boy now! Peeing in a cup definitely makes you a big boy!
We spent some time talking with Dr. L about P's gag reflex and his behavior (as in his wild, center-of-attention, impulsive, loudest of every other child, interrupting his teacher.....all the things that we aren't exactly proud of!). We'll be turning up our discipline techniques....and trying to determine what actions are "he's a wild boy" vs. he is "acting out even though he knows better." This won't happen overnight - but, it was nice to hear our doctor's thoughts, support and plan of action for the future. Best news of all, we aren't doing anything wrong but now is the time that we have to crack down and be consistent 100% of the time. We had a discussion with Payton about this and he decided the top 3 things he needs to work on are:
1) Inside voice
2) Listening ears
3) Interrupting others while they are speaking (which is a big problem at school)
Then, the worst part - THREE shots. He cried briefly and limped out of the room....but, climbed up on the concrete wall outside and jumped off. He was such a good boy and my "pre visit" warning did work for us. Thank goodness!
I can't believe my big boy had his 4 year old check-up....it is so hard to believe he is FOUR!
After his visit, we treated him to an ice cream cone for his excellent behavior and tolerating those big boy shots.
He won't need shots again until 2018!
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