Flu Shots

The last 2 days we did a lot of errands. Not my idea of a great time, but they needed to get done.

Yesterday it was flu shot day. The boys had an appointment to get theirs done in the morning. 

In the car Isaak said, "Are we going to get a shot?"

I said, "Yep. Getting a shot isn't that bad. It feels like a pinch and then the pain is over. That spot where you get a shot may feel like a bruise later. The shot you are getting today protects you from getting Influenza. Daddy got that once, and he missed two weeks of work. Some people who get sick a lot anyways can die of Influenza. There are shots for all kinds of things. Many are to protect you from diseases like Polio. Grandma had that, and she's still having issues from it today. Mommy had to get allergy shots when I was little. It was supposed to make me better. Maybe it did. I think people make too big of a deal about shots."

I left out the part that some adults HATE shots, that I used to hide from my Mom when it was time to get my allergy shots and that many people opt not to get a flu shot.

I probably over talked that one. The doctor's office is a ways away. I figured I may as well cover their worries.

Isaak said, "Well Mica's going first."

When we got in the office Mica picked up a book to read it right away. Sort of to avoid getting a shot.

I said, "Ok Mica you are first."

Mica said, "Oh no! Isaak's first."

I said, "Come on remember it's just like a sting. Then it's done." I had to hold him down.

He got his shot and said, "Oh that really wasn't that bad!"

Then Isaak got held down.

He just said, "OWWW! That was it? That really wasn't that bad."

Isaak limped for a little while. 

Neither kid cried!

Next it was my turn to get a flu shot at Walgreens. The boys were fascinated with the fact that I was getting mine in the arm, and not the leg. Then they felt bad for me that my Band-Aid wasn't as cool as theirs.

They went on and on about the Band-Aids they each got. Mica was trying to roll his pants up to show Isaak and I his Band-Aid. His pant leg wouldn't go up high enough; and he almost dropped his drawers to show us. I caught him first.

Am I crazy for not getting the mist? I just don't trust something that doesn't go right into the blood stream. Some feel flu shots are unnecessary. If I can get something to prevent Influenza, I'm all about it. I don't want to miss 2 or more weeks of work. I don't want to be that sick. I don't want that to get passed around in our family. I've found that there are still people that feel like the flu shot covers all illnesses. NOPE! Just one really bad one, Influenza.

I Got My Flu Shot Today

My question of the day is, do you get one? I know some people are pro flu shots, some think they do nothing and others are anti shots.

I air on the side of caution. CAUTION meaning, preventing me from getting deathly sick. I get sick a lot from being a mom, a teacher and having allergies. I just don't want the risk of getting influenza. If a shot can prevent that then I'll get one.

I've known two people that have had influenza and it wasn't pretty. My co-worker that got it had thyroid issues and along with that had eye problems. It was horrible. My husband got it and missed 2 weeks of work.

I was a skeptic about shots when my boys were younger. Mica got his staph infection a week after getting his vaccines and Isaak got his meningitis two days after getting his vaccines. For awhile I thought maybe my boys had some rare reaction when it came to their vaccines. Mica had an ear infection on the same side as his staph infection. Isaak could have gotten meningitis anywhere. I pushed all my skepticism aside.

Now I'm thankful that we have the vaccines we do today. Grandma Spiehs had Polio when she was a little tike. It's been a real problem in her life. Vaccines prevent things like that.

When I got my shot today Isaak was with me. He said, "Momma are you scared to get a shot?" I said, "No honey. It really doesn't hurt that bad. It's like a little sting." He said, "Oh. Will you cry?" I said, "Nope." Then he said, "You will get a sticker when you are all done!" I said, "Nope. Only kids get stickers. Not adults." He said, "Oh." I think he felt sorry for me that I didn't get a sticker for being oh so brave.

The boys are getting their flu shots later this month. The nurse asked if I wanted them to have the flu mist or the shot? The shot is what I went with. The boys won't like that decision, but I know they will in fact get it. With the flu mist...well they won't even blow their noses; I doubt they will suck in a mist effectively.

Three Year Appointment

Isaak had his 3 year appointment yesterday. Mica said twice, "Well I'm glad I don't have to go to get shots! Mommy will Isaak have to get shots? If so I don't want to watch!" Way to rub it in Isaak's face Mica. I just said, "I don't know if Isaak will get shots; I let the doctor make those decisions. Remember shots are not bad, we get them to help us."

Isaak put on the funky 3D glasses to see and tell his shapes. He wouldn't say them. Then he was playing with this toy and said, "Look Mommy a square. Look Mommy a circle." I told the nurse to listen.

This 3 year old is 38.5" tall, which is 69.03%. He's tall! He is 32 pounds and 3.2 ounces, which is 56.28%. The doctor says he weighs perfectly for his height. Mica was always tall, yet skinnier then Isaak!

Isaak got his last meningitis shot and his finger pricked to check for lead. He did good! He barely cried. Then this morning he was limping. Daddy wanted to know why he was limping. I knew it was from his shot. Isaak likes to milk attention. :)

Things we have to watch out for: His birthmark. He has one on his spine. If it gets darker, it's a concern. The doctor says with 2nd children they are often times more lazy then the first. Isaak tends to be lazy with activity sometimes. More so then with Mica.