Thursday, June 12, 2008

Trouble With Checkups

Today was Lance's 18-month old checkup. Up until now, he was a model patient. All the staff at the office just loved it when he came in because he didn't fuss or squirm or scream.

All that has changed.

I had to bring him in last week to have a burn checked out. The Dr. wanted me to bring him back this week so she could check to make sure it was healing well, and also to do his well-child exam at the same time. I think he was traumatized from last week's visit, and as soon as we walked through the door from the waiting room to the exam area, my easy-going, well-mannered child became a screaming, clingy monster. He screamed his little head off the entire time-- while he was being measured and having his temperature taken; when he was being weighed; when the doctor checked his eyes and ears.

Then they wanted to administer vaccines.

I said no, not today, thank you very much. My child is obviously very frightened.

One thing I like about my doctor is she values my opinion as a mother and doesn't fight me on things like delaying vaccines for awhile. ( I have been vaccinating him, but a little bit behind schedule. I don't want him to have too much too soon.) However, today they had to do a finger prick to check his blood for lead. We were supposed to do this at his 12-month visit, but things got crazy and I never made it to the lab, so she had the nurse do a prick today.

I don't know why this particular nurse is in pediatrics. She's apparently afraid of children and has little patience with mothers who want to hold their children on their laps instead of just dumping them on the table. Argh.

I didn't schedule his next checkup. I'm going to find another pediatrician. I like the doctor all right, but her staff is awful and her office is not well-supplied. It's dingy, smells bad, and since we've moved it's a half-hour away.

Sigh. We came home and I let Lance have a popsicle and watch Sesame Street. Now he's taking a nap.

Poor little guy.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Around that age Hoss started having a lot of trouble going to the doctor. He just is not cooperative at all. He doesn't cry until the doctor tries to look at him so I don't think he has a fear of the doctor's office, just of people touching him and proding him, etc. I hope Lance recovers from his doctor trauma! Good Luck finding another pediatrician's office.

Anonymous said...

Understanding doctors (and nurses) are so key to a healthy relationship with them. My daughter is ok now but had her fear and my son just screams as soon as he smells anything remotely like a doctor's office!

Anonymous said...

I am thinking about finding another pediatrician too.

Anonymous said...

I know exactly how you feel! Good for you for standing up for yourself and Lance! :-)

Anonymous said...

My clinic's open! It's a little far away but really cute and the staff are gentle and call you by name.

We'd be delighted to have you. :)

Anonymous said...

Poor fella.

Anonymous said...

Way to follow your instincts. I LOVED my pediatrician in the beginning but they recently went sour so I switched. Best decision I've made in a long time!

Anonymous said...

Oh no! Poor thing. Good for you to go somewhere else! I've had to make the switch once before, too.

Steph

Anonymous said...

Aw, Lance, I understand. Hang in there.

I love our doctor, too. But way to far to drive. Now looking for another one. Not my idea of fun.

Anonymous said...

the dear boy . .