Ethan had to get immunizations before he could register for 7th grade. He also needed to get a physical for Boy Scouts. So I decided to roll them into one and get his physical done during Spring Break so he wouldn't have to miss school.
He was a bit nervous about the physical and especially about the immunizations. We dropped Courtney off at Grandma and Grandpa's house so Ethan could have his privacy during his exam. Then we went to the doctor's office. We were on time instead of early so we wouldn't have to wait around forever. But they were still quick to call us back. They weighed Ethan, he was 106 pounds. Then they checked his height, he was 5 feet 3 1/2 inches. They took his temperature and blood pressure before taking us into an exam room.
The nurse talked to us about immunizations and Ethan got even more nervous. But she said the doctor would do the exam first and then she would come back in and do the immunizations. The exam went well. Ethan is evening out on the height and weight. He is still in the 96% for height but he is only in the 65% (I think) for weight. So the doctor said he is doing great. All his reflexes were great and he is growing well. The doctor did warn me that, although Ethan is tall, he hasn't hit his puberty growth spurt yet. He said that in about 1 to 1 1/2 years, Ethan will suddenly begin to shoot up. So we need to watch for that.
All during the exam the doctor was talking to Ethan and asking him questions. He asked if he was smart, to which Ethan looked at him and said "Of course." Then the doctor asked Ethan if he felt comfortable at school, if he felt comfortable at home, who he talks to when he has problems, etc. It was fun to hear his answers. He feels safe at school at home. He hasn't ever been bullied or been a bully. He tells his parents important things or if he has a problem he would come to us.
On a side note: it was funny afterward because Ethan was really offended to think that someone would have to ask who he would tell his problems to. I had to explain that some kids don't feel comfortable telling their parents things. Ethan replied, "That's dumb." I had to chuckle. He's a great kid!
Then it was time for the immunizations. The doctor left (because he doesn't like kids to think he is mean, he leaves that to the nurses) and 2 nurses came in. They explained that there were 2 shots and if they both did them at once, it wouldn't hurt so bad. So Ethan got up on the exam table and each nurse cleaned an arm and then got ready. They asked if Ethan wanted them to count down or if they should just do it. He said, "Just stick me!" He was SO TENSE with his shoulders up around his ears. The second the needles went in, he completely relaxed and then it was over! He said "That was not a big deal at all!"
The one nurse couldn't find the hole where the needle went in so she just put the band-aid on his arm in a random place. It was funny. Then they let us go. They were a bit nervous that Ethan was going to get light headed and pass out. While I was talking to the nurse they kept asking him if he was okay. They were starting to make me nervous. Ethan insisted he was fine.
Before we left the office Ethan went into the bathroom and a nurse freaked out. "Did he just go in the bathroom? If he passes out in there, we can't get to him. Was he lightheaded?" I assured her that he was fine but she was really making me nervous. He came out a minute later to 3 women staring tensely at the bathroom door. Poor kid. After insisting, for the 100th time, that he was fine, the nurse let us go.
Fun adventure!
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