Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Our trip to the doctor

Abby had her 4 year well check yesterday and it was devastating for us all. I did my research on the pediatricians around here and thought I had done a pretty good job. I think we were just spoiled by our old doctor. Our old doctor was a small practice in a small town. Everyone in the office knew not just your child’s name but also your name. The waiting room was quaint and the exam rooms were painted in children’s themes.
So here we walk into Children’s Clinic East. I had researched the doctors and knew that they were very qualified. The doctor that I picked was on the clinical faculty at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. We walk in to the building and get on the elevator to go to the 2nd floor. Open the door to the office and are greeted with 6 windows, 2 for check-in, 2 for check-out and 2 for appointments, a little overwhelming. At least they did have the waiting area split in to well and sick waiting. Thank goodness since we were in the waiting room for over an hour. We arrived at our appointment 15 minutes early and were not taken back until an hour after our appointment time. Once called we think, yippee we’re on our way now. NOT!! We then waited for another 30 minutes in the room, which are plain white walls no decoration no nothing. I was getting quite annoyed and longed for our old doctor. The nurses were pleasant and so was the doctor. Both were very professional, but again I longed for our old doctor. The one that would look for butterflies in Abby’s ears or walks around with a whoopee cushion just to make the kids laugh. We are going to give this office one more shot only because the doctor did apologize for being late and said that there were a few emergencies that morning that put them behind.
Abby is growing well. She weighs 30.5 pounds and was 37.5 inches tall. Her eyes were perfect and so was her cholesterol (had no idea they check cholesterol in children). Her blood pressure was a little low, I asked about it and they said it was nothing to be concerned about. I might call Dr. Thomson just to get his opinion. Her iron levels were also low. This has been on going, my little non meat eater, so it wasn’t really a surprise. We got her a vitamin with iron and she should be good.
Now the devastating part, she had to get 4 shots. I think I cried as much as she did. Oh it was awful. I’m fine when Andrew has to get shots; once you pick him up he’s fine. Abby on the other hand knew what was coming and knew that they hurt. Abby and I both got stickers, hers was Cinderella and mine was Snow White. Afterward she told me, “mom she got me good”. That was another thing I liked about our old doctor. They would have 2 nurses come in and give the shots 2 at a time. Much quicker that way. I know I have to move on from Dr. Thomson, but I really did like our doctor.
Needless to say, I stopped my Target on the way home and got Abby another Polly Pocket to add to her collection.

5 comments:

Michelle said...

I hate shot visits! (((hugs to you))) for getting settled in a new locale.

Lisa said...

Poor little Abby! I have noticed Abigail seems to have a harder time the older she gets too because she knows what's happening. I think I would have stopped by Target too! They have a great popcorn/drink combo for $1 too-a cheap treat when the need arises! (We got some today! : ) )

Sara said...

Poor girl! I hate that for her. There is nothing like a doctor that makes mommies and kiddies happy. If it is a large office maybe you could see a nurse practitioner...Our pediatrician is really big so we always see the nurse practitioners and they are great-like a midwife. give Abby a hug for us.

Anonymous said...

Sorry you guys had such a rough time! When Hannah had her 5 year shots, three nurses had to come in and hold her down-it was quite traumatic for both of us!! At least they're done for a whole year....hugs and kisses to you all!

keri said...

ok, i'm dreading ella's appointment next week. 4 shots? oh, the thought of it. ella will freak.