Six Sticks

In preparation for kindergarten, Afton was poked 6 times with a needle. We talked, for at least a month, about what it would be like getting a shot, so he was well aware that it was going to be painful but he was going to try and be brave. I took both kids in for shots, but Rowan ended up needing a breathing treatment (she had a cold) and was not able to get her shots. Anyway, they were taking so long with Rowan that Afton started begging to get his shots. The nurse was pretty dumbfounded. She whispered, asking "does he know that it's going to hurt?"  I confirmed to her that he did, and was so taken with the combination of fear and anticipation, that it only seemed like he was excited about it. Also, we did not know he was going to have to get stuck with a needle six times.

First up was the TB test. He grimaced and held his breath and made it through to the other side with only a bit of a tear. He was so proud and ready to leave.....then he realized that he still had a bunch of pokes left and had a complete melt down. The nurse was able to prick his finger and get some blood for the iron test before I had to hold on to him so that he wouldn't jump off the table and go running hysterically through the halls. Quickly she gave him three shots in his left arm, basically punching him with needles, and one lone shot in the other arm. 

Once it was all over, Afton screamed the most horrific scream I have ever heard. It was the sound a grown woman makes when seeing a huge rat run across the kitchen floor, mixed with the wail of a fire alarm. He did this more than once, and I had to remind him that it was ok to cry but not to scream. 

A full 20 mins after getting the shots, he still had tears running down his cheeks. He requested to sit in the front seat because his car seat straps were hurting his arms. Breakin' the law! I told him he had to give me a thumbs up first though. Regardless of his crying and screaming and basic total meltdown, I was very proud of him. He's one tough cookie to get punched with that many needles!