A Shot in the Arm

It's that time of year again when I take us all to the doctor's office for our flu shots. Taylor has normally been very good about needles; she rarely cries but rather just sits on my knee and take the shot in the arm. This time was different. I should have taken backup. As soon as I parked the car Taylor was protesting, "I'm not getting a needle, you and Kenzie get a needle but I'm not going to, no, no, no...." Fortunately the waiting room had the distraction of Hallowe'en coloring sheets. They helped in the exam room too until Dr. T arrived. Taylor scooted between my chair and the magazine rack faster than I've ever seen her move and immediately started arguing about not getting a shot. I got my shot first; trying not to show any reaction. It wasn't that big a deal this time anyway. Mackenzie had been sleeping on my arm in a long-sleeved sweater (in 23 degree weather, but there's no accounting for her choice of clothing) and had to be woken up to retrieve her arm from its confines. She started protesting right away as well screaming, "NO!!" and kicking her legs and waving her arms. The doctor was still talking with Taylor that the needle helps her to not get sick and that it wouldn't hurt as much as her needles for starting school. - Oh...that's why she's suddenly so opposed to shots. - I held Kenzie against me holding her arm and pinning her legs with my other arm. She still succeeded in giving the doctor a good kick before bursting in to big rolling tears. The doctor was now telling Taylor that Kenzie's kick hurt more than the needle. It was a challenge to try to pull Taylor out enough to get access to her arm while trying to comfort and hold Kenzie. We never did get her out from her spot between chair and magazine rack but we did get her arm. The doctor even asked Taylor if she'd like some stickers afterwards, asked her to be big girl and show Kenzie how she could take a needle, I offered ice cream afterwards, and the doctor asked - with permission - if pop would help afterwards. Taylor continued to protest and squirm. So, I held Kenzie with one arm on my knee while holding Taylor's arm with the other and hoping she wouldn't bang her head on the table behind her. The shot was quickly given while Taylor protested and Kenzie attempted to kick the doctor and save her sister. The tramatic event now over, the girls were both asked to come pick out a sticker. While Taylor was picking out her sticker, no tears visible now, the doctor appear with her pop for Taylor. We then had to wait for five minutes to see if we had any negative reaction and there was no sign of the trauma from a few moments before. The girls were both dry eyed, intently persuing their endevors from their toy box selections, and stickers and pop both set askide, forgotten. I had to ask myself, what was all the broohaha about and... no wonder some people opt not to get the needle and deal with the symptoms of illness instead. Sheesh. The trials and tribulations of being a parent.