“If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.”
~Frank A. Clark
“Is it going to hurt?”
Max furrowed his tiny brow.
“No,” I said. ”It’s going to pinch.”
“Like this?”
He pinched me, certain I’m sure, that he sent my forearm into burning agony, but it’s more like the whisper of a dandelion settling on my skin.
“No,” I said. ”Like this.”
I gave Max’s arm a nip; a close approximation to what the shot might feel like.”
“Ow.”
“Did it hurt?”
“A little bit.”
“Not too much?”
“This much.” Max squeezed his thumb and pointer, leaving just enough room for a ladybug to slip through, but only so long as her wings were folded. ”Why do I have to get a shot.”
“Because they put a few tiny bad guys inside you, so like a million good guys can beat them up and tell them to never come back.”
“Then I won’t get sick?”
“Right.”
“I’m not going to cry,” Max said. He shook his head.
“It’s okay if you do.”
“Yeah….” He held the last syllable like a note on a trumpet. ”I don’t think I’m going to.”
We’ve been stuck in the tiny room with the long sheet of butcher paper for the better part of an hour. Just me and the three year old. We have a trio of books, and we’ve read each several times. I’ve already made the tongue depressors dance, and fashioned a set of chicken balloons from the disposable gloves. I know I should stay out of the doctor’s stuff, but forty-five minutes is a long time.
I start to wonder what it’s like to have the seemingly infinite power of a doctor. I picture him next door, flirting with the nurse, or maybe dinking around with his iphone.
We had an appointment, and there was no one before us. What’s taking so long?
Forty-five minutes waiting in a tiny room with a three year old is like an afternoon in an elevator.
“What’s taking such a long long time?”
Max’s question is reasonable, but it’s turning into a whine.
“Sorry buddy,” I tousle his hair, “I’m sure the doctor will be here soon.”
“Okay.” His shoulders collapse and he crawls in my lap.
I feel about doctors as I do about contractors. I’m not happy I have to bend over every time I want to do business, but I accept it.
They went to med school, I didn’t. They have a skill set that I do not.
But don’t make my three year old wait without a good reason.
That’s not cool.
I tell Max I’ll be back; he promises not to budge. I step into the hallway.
The nurse has misfiled our paperwork, and the doctor doesn’t know we’re waiting.
Grrr.
Fifteen minutes later, the derelict nurse enters. He says, as he displays the needle, “Sorry guys, this is my first day.” He then approaches Max with the self assurance of a tourist without a map in a country without vowels.
“Have you given a shot before?” I shift my body. The nurse has to stop. I’m not trying to be confrontational, but I’m quite suddenly unhappy.
“Not on a kid.” He won’t look me in the eye.
“I’m sure you’ll be an ace someday,” I said. ”But we’ve been waiting for an hour, and I think we need another nurse.”
“Sure thing,” he said.
He shuts the door and I feel angry with myself for not giving him the benefit, but I’m doing the right thing.
The door swings open a minute later and a woman walks in who looks like she was giving shots back when they were wiping out polio.
“How are ya little guy?” The nurse smiles and every one of her hundred wrinkles reach for the ceiling.
“Good.” Max laughs.
“This is going to pinch a little, okay.”
Max looks at me and whispers. ”I’m not going to cry.”
“Okay, buddy.” I offer my palm. ”Do you want to hold my hand?”
“Yeah.”
“Look at me, okay.”
“Okay.”
Max holds my gaze as the needle breaks, then enters his flesh. His eyes widen, brighten, then glaze. The nurse finishes her work, and removes the needle.
“All done,” I said.
Max turned to the nurse with two dry cheeks. ”Thank you for my shot.”
This sounds like the most polite sentence ever whispered.
The nurse spins in surprise, clearly trying to determine an appropriate response. But, “You’re welcome,” is all she can manage.
Five minutes later, we’re at the front desk with Max being fawned over. He’s given not one, but one of each kind of sticker scattered at the bottom of the ‘sorry we had to stick you‘ box.
“Did it hurt,” I asked as I lifted him into his car seat.
“No,” he shook his head. ”But it took a long long time.”
Writer Dad
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If you liked that, you’ll probably love “But Daddy,” “Bye Bye Butterfly,” or even this.
About Sean Platt
One of the things I like least about taking the Evil Genius in for his yearly poke-and-prod is the waiting – they are always impatient for us to get him undressed, dressed, on the scale, off the scale, dancing a jig, standing on his head and singing O Fortuna (OK, maybe not the last two), but then they make us wait for what feels like eons between nurse, doctor, nurse, lab, nurse, and eventually shots. Sigh.
I can’t bring enough books to keep him occupied – my back isn’t strong enough to carry en entire library with us.
It is rude to keep people waiting, whatever your level of education be – doctor or no, if you can’t see us in a timely fashion, you owe us an apology and perhaps a re-schedule to a time when you don’t have to rush us while wasting our time. The nurse should have had more sense, and hopefully he learned from his mistake and no one else had to endure the interminable wait.
You did the right thing to send an inexperienced nurse out – I have never denied someone the chance to practice on ME (an adult), but only the best needle-work will do for my child.
Your little guy sounds brilliant.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryns last blog post..Between Sea and Sky
One of the things I like least about taking the Evil Genius in for his yearly poke-and-prod is the waiting – they are always impatient for us to get him undressed, dressed, on the scale, off the scale, dancing a jig, standing on his head and singing O Fortuna (OK, maybe not the last two), but then they make us wait for what feels like eons between nurse, doctor, nurse, lab, nurse, and eventually shots. Sigh.
I can’t bring enough books to keep him occupied – my back isn’t strong enough to carry en entire library with us.
It is rude to keep people waiting, whatever your level of education be – doctor or no, if you can’t see us in a timely fashion, you owe us an apology and perhaps a re-schedule to a time when you don’t have to rush us while wasting our time. The nurse should have had more sense, and hopefully he learned from his mistake and no one else had to endure the interminable wait.
You did the right thing to send an inexperienced nurse out – I have never denied someone the chance to practice on ME (an adult), but only the best needle-work will do for my child.
Your little guy sounds brilliant.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryns last blog post..Between Sea and Sky
Impressive. My boys, both pretty brave and fearless, did not fare well at shot time. I feel their pain.
whits last blog post..I Thought Bald was Beautiful
Impressive. My boys, both pretty brave and fearless, did not fare well at shot time. I feel their pain.
whits last blog post..I Thought Bald was Beautiful
What brilliant manners Max has, Writer Dad!
He’s been raised well when he even expresses his gratitude at receiving a shot. It’s an attitude that will serve him well for the future…
Very often, while we may not appreciate negative experiences at the time, sometimes we are better for having gone through them. Of course, it helps to have supportive relationships around to help us see this- and guide us through.
As for receiving ‘shots’ (or ‘jags’ in the UK), I’m fortunate that I don’t have a fear of needles.
However, I do know of people that nigh-on faint at the mere glint of metal out of the corner of their eye! :-)
What brilliant manners Max has, Writer Dad!
He’s been raised well when he even expresses his gratitude at receiving a shot. It’s an attitude that will serve him well for the future…
Very often, while we may not appreciate negative experiences at the time, sometimes we are better for having gone through them. Of course, it helps to have supportive relationships around to help us see this- and guide us through.
As for receiving ‘shots’ (or ‘jags’ in the UK), I’m fortunate that I don’t have a fear of needles.
However, I do know of people that nigh-on faint at the mere glint of metal out of the corner of their eye! :-)
Hi Writer Dad,
What a great story. Max sounds like such a polite and brave little boy. He must make you proud.
I’m glad you didn’t let the new nurse give the shot. The outcome could have been much different.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..NBOTW – Everyday Is Father’s Day
Hi Writer Dad,
What a great story. Max sounds like such a polite and brave little boy. He must make you proud.
I’m glad you didn’t let the new nurse give the shot. The outcome could have been much different.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..NBOTW – Everyday Is Father’s Day
Being myself a kid of 11 I had to do the same for my younger brother; yet my explanation of the need for the shot was a bit (not much) sofisticated.
Something like:
You get sick because there are armies of little bad guys that want to eat you army. But your body has an army too. So they fight and if you are losing the war you get sick. So this shot injects a few of the bad guys. But they are too few, so they will lose. And after they lose your army will study them and know how to fight them better next time.
Miguel de Luiss last blog post..GTDogma and GTDissenters: 7.5 ways to Get Things Done, better.
Being myself a kid of 11 I had to do the same for my younger brother; yet my explanation of the need for the shot was a bit (not much) sofisticated.
Something like:
You get sick because there are armies of little bad guys that want to eat you army. But your body has an army too. So they fight and if you are losing the war you get sick. So this shot injects a few of the bad guys. But they are too few, so they will lose. And after they lose your army will study them and know how to fight them better next time.
Miguel de Luiss last blog post..GTDogma and GTDissenters: 7.5 ways to Get Things Done, better.
VERY Interesting Writer Dad especially from my point of view!
I loved it. I stumbled it and hope that more people get a chance to see what a fantastic writer you are.
Love: “Max squeezed his thumb and pointer, leaving just enough room for a ladybug to slip through, but only so long as her wings were folded.”
Dr. Casons last blog post..Oh No! My Girl has Mrs X as her Teacher!
VERY Interesting Writer Dad especially from my point of view!
I loved it. I stumbled it and hope that more people get a chance to see what a fantastic writer you are.
Love: “Max squeezed his thumb and pointer, leaving just enough room for a ladybug to slip through, but only so long as her wings were folded.”
Dr. Casons last blog post..Oh No! My Girl has Mrs X as her Teacher!
Great dialog.
Have you thought about writing a book? I am sure it will be a success with your talent :-0)
Shamelle
Shamelle -TheEnhanceLifes last blog post..8 Skinny Habits To Lose Weight Naturally
Great dialog.
Have you thought about writing a book? I am sure it will be a success with your talent :-0)
Shamelle
Shamelle -TheEnhanceLifes last blog post..8 Skinny Habits To Lose Weight Naturally
I love how sweet, tender, and polite children can be, especially to the point that others find it shocking.
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..The Power of Accountability
I love how sweet, tender, and polite children can be, especially to the point that others find it shocking.
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..The Power of Accountability
Wooh, Max is BACK! Tell him he was super brave. Shots are the worst; I would totally give him a medal.
Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..When Life Forces You to Expand
Wooh, Max is BACK! Tell him he was super brave. Shots are the worst; I would totally give him a medal.
Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..When Life Forces You to Expand
I have had a new nurse draw blood from my then 1 year old. I didn’t know before she started that she hadn’t a clue what she was doing and hadn’t drawn blood from a tiny little arm before. It was gut-wrenching. My daughter has an appt today. I don’t think she gets any shots, but if she does, I can guarantee she won’t be as brave as Max was. Good job, buddy!
I have had a new nurse draw blood from my then 1 year old. I didn’t know before she started that she hadn’t a clue what she was doing and hadn’t drawn blood from a tiny little arm before. It was gut-wrenching. My daughter has an appt today. I don’t think she gets any shots, but if she does, I can guarantee she won’t be as brave as Max was. Good job, buddy!
That’s a special moment you two had together, and you shared it wonderfully with all of us, too — thanks!
SpaceAgeSages last blog post..Is ingratitude like anti-matter?
That’s a special moment you two had together, and you shared it wonderfully with all of us, too — thanks!
SpaceAgeSages last blog post..Is ingratitude like anti-matter?
Kyddryn: The whole process can feel ridiculous, and you said it well. They can practice all they want on me, but my little guy deserves the best; especially after waiting patiently for an hour.
Whit: I’m in my thirties, and I wouldn’t have been as cool. And I definitely wouldn’t have said thanks.
Scott McIntyre: It’s the culmination of all our experiences that makes us who we are; not just the good. In fact, sometimes it’s the negative that are the more important in shaping what we want.
Barbara: He makes me want to peacock. Thanks again.
Miguel: I think your explanation is perfect; more thorough than mine.
Dr. Cason: Thanks for the stumble. That makes Writer Dad very happy. Good Stumbling is a nut I have yet to crack.
Shamelle: I have a couple of books in the work. Thank you for your confidence.
Stacey: Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if that kind of behavior was the norm?
Hayden: He didn’t get a medal, but the bragging rights were fierce. He came home to his then five year old sister and said, “Mia, did you cry when you got a shot?” She said, “Yes.” Then he laughed at her and said,”I did NOT cry.” This is now a fairly regular conversation.
Emily: Good luck at the doctor’s office today. I’ll think good thoughts.
SpaceAgeSage: You are welcome.
Kyddryn: The whole process can feel ridiculous, and you said it well. They can practice all they want on me, but my little guy deserves the best; especially after waiting patiently for an hour.
Whit: I’m in my thirties, and I wouldn’t have been as cool. And I definitely wouldn’t have said thanks.
Scott McIntyre: It’s the culmination of all our experiences that makes us who we are; not just the good. In fact, sometimes it’s the negative that are the more important in shaping what we want.
Barbara: He makes me want to peacock. Thanks again.
Miguel: I think your explanation is perfect; more thorough than mine.
Dr. Cason: Thanks for the stumble. That makes Writer Dad very happy. Good Stumbling is a nut I have yet to crack.
Shamelle: I have a couple of books in the work. Thank you for your confidence.
Stacey: Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if that kind of behavior was the norm?
Hayden: He didn’t get a medal, but the bragging rights were fierce. He came home to his then five year old sister and said, “Mia, did you cry when you got a shot?” She said, “Yes.” Then he laughed at her and said,”I did NOT cry.” This is now a fairly regular conversation.
Emily: Good luck at the doctor’s office today. I’ll think good thoughts.
SpaceAgeSage: You are welcome.
Max has won the gold in this story. He deserved every single sticker from the ‘sorry we had to stick you‘ box. I think you did the right thing by asking for another nurse. When my wife was in labor with our daughter, the nurse tried to give her an IV twice. On the third try, I asked her to wait for a minute, stepped out into the hall and asked another nurse to come in because I didn’t believe in putting Jess through the needle stick again, her hand was already the size of one of the “rubber chicken balloons.”
Max did an outstanding job and I am sure you are very proud of him. My son doesn’t cry at his shots either, but that is because he is so “bubbly” and moose-like that I don’t think he feels them. Way to go Max!
Sals last blog post..How Do You Deal With Challenges?
Max has won the gold in this story. He deserved every single sticker from the ‘sorry we had to stick you‘ box. I think you did the right thing by asking for another nurse. When my wife was in labor with our daughter, the nurse tried to give her an IV twice. On the third try, I asked her to wait for a minute, stepped out into the hall and asked another nurse to come in because I didn’t believe in putting Jess through the needle stick again, her hand was already the size of one of the “rubber chicken balloons.”
Max did an outstanding job and I am sure you are very proud of him. My son doesn’t cry at his shots either, but that is because he is so “bubbly” and moose-like that I don’t think he feels them. Way to go Max!
Sals last blog post..How Do You Deal With Challenges?
Must be an old soul, that Max. ;-) Kids teach us so much if we can only listen.
New Age Bitchs last blog post..Let’s get personal…
Must be an old soul, that Max. ;-) Kids teach us so much if we can only listen.
New Age Bitchs last blog post..Let’s get personal…
I have to say I really enjoy your blog posts. I’m not much of a commenter on these sort of blogs but I really enjoy what you write. Keep up the good work and can’t wait to read great content from you again.
I have to say I really enjoy your blog posts. I’m not much of a commenter on these sort of blogs but I really enjoy what you write. Keep up the good work and can’t wait to read great content from you again.
I loved your story and I loved you speaking up for max.
I have to admit though, that your headline got me. It brought back memories of fraternity hazing that are not all that necessarily fond.
Have you personal experience of bending over and taking one that way?
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..How to Honor Your Commitments
I loved your story and I loved you speaking up for max.
I have to admit though, that your headline got me. It brought back memories of fraternity hazing that are not all that necessarily fond.
Have you personal experience of bending over and taking one that way?
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..How to Honor Your Commitments
Thank you for that post, WD. It made me cry.
Jennys last blog post..Check Your Gig Line … Again
Thank you for that post, WD. It made me cry.
Jennys last blog post..Check Your Gig Line … Again
Writer Dad,
Your Max sounds like a sweetie – he and my daughter should get together. We have the SAME “pinch” conversation (though not as eloquently, of course), each time she has to get a shot. The fact that she is TURNING 17 IN3 DAYS does NOT matter! She STILL needs the reassurance.
The irony, of course, is that I have to self-administer 6 shots a day! (It’s only a 5 inch needle, so it’s not too *%%*(^% bad.) I have BEGGED her to give me one of my shots. I have told her that I would set the entire thing up, and she could “pinch” me. She runs.
Nonetheless, she still needs that “pinch” talk every single time, and I dread the fact that she will need another complete physical, given that she starts college next year!
(Come to think of it, doc was supposed to get his cholesterol check in May. I STILL have the lab slip. Clearly, Liz gets this from dad!)
Thanks for the sweet post. (And BTW – our family doctor’s nurse knows that if Liz is coming in for a shot, she is to be immediately escorted to the back, given her shot, and be sent on her way!)
Regards,
Rita
Ritas last blog post..Love Letters…
Writer Dad,
Your Max sounds like a sweetie – he and my daughter should get together. We have the SAME “pinch” conversation (though not as eloquently, of course), each time she has to get a shot. The fact that she is TURNING 17 IN3 DAYS does NOT matter! She STILL needs the reassurance.
The irony, of course, is that I have to self-administer 6 shots a day! (It’s only a 5 inch needle, so it’s not too *%%*(^% bad.) I have BEGGED her to give me one of my shots. I have told her that I would set the entire thing up, and she could “pinch” me. She runs.
Nonetheless, she still needs that “pinch” talk every single time, and I dread the fact that she will need another complete physical, given that she starts college next year!
(Come to think of it, doc was supposed to get his cholesterol check in May. I STILL have the lab slip. Clearly, Liz gets this from dad!)
Thanks for the sweet post. (And BTW – our family doctor’s nurse knows that if Liz is coming in for a shot, she is to be immediately escorted to the back, given her shot, and be sent on her way!)
Regards,
Rita
Ritas last blog post..Love Letters…
Sal: It’ll be interesting to see if Max cries the next time he has to go in (in about six months). It’s one of his favorite stories, so he knows he has a lot to live up to.
Max: Max is one of my three favorite people to listen to.
UBE: Thanks. I’ll be back tomorrow.
Tom Volkar: No, none at all. Didn’t even go to college. I just liked the headline. Sorry if I gave you trauma with your morning coffee.
Jenny: I hope they were good tears; I don’t mind giving those.
Rita: Seventeen, wow. Good luck on life with a senior.
Sal: It’ll be interesting to see if Max cries the next time he has to go in (in about six months). It’s one of his favorite stories, so he knows he has a lot to live up to.
Max: Max is one of my three favorite people to listen to.
UBE: Thanks. I’ll be back tomorrow.
Tom Volkar: No, none at all. Didn’t even go to college. I just liked the headline. Sorry if I gave you trauma with your morning coffee.
Jenny: I hope they were good tears; I don’t mind giving those.
Rita: Seventeen, wow. Good luck on life with a senior.
As a contractor who does all the bending, I wouldn’t mind the comparison if I made the kind of money a doctor makes. You might be interested in my other blog:http://artisanbuilders.blogspot.com to know how hard it is to run a contracting business (and I’ve barely begun to describe the pitfalls and trouble spots.)
Kip de Molls last blog post..Paths Taken
As a contractor who does all the bending, I wouldn’t mind the comparison if I made the kind of money a doctor makes. You might be interested in my other blog:http://artisanbuilders.blogspot.com to know how hard it is to run a contracting business (and I’ve barely begun to describe the pitfalls and trouble spots.)
Kip de Molls last blog post..Paths Taken
The end brought a smile and a chuckle – “no, but it took a long time”. Great ending to this story!
The end brought a smile and a chuckle – “no, but it took a long time”. Great ending to this story!
Kip de Moll: I understand. I’m sure that both contractors and doctors, along with every other profession, face their various pitfalls. I was trying to draw humor with a common thread.
Lance: Thanks. I didn’t know how to end the story, so I decided to end it with a direct quote.
Kip de Moll: I understand. I’m sure that both contractors and doctors, along with every other profession, face their various pitfalls. I was trying to draw humor with a common thread.
Lance: Thanks. I didn’t know how to end the story, so I decided to end it with a direct quote.
Your humor is accepted. I would not be able to survive without a smile through it all.
Kip de Molls last blog post..Paths Taken
Your humor is accepted. I would not be able to survive without a smile through it all.
Kip de Molls last blog post..Paths Taken
I hate shot time. It’s sweet that he was so polite. I know it’s biased, but I love when we get old lady nurses when Allie has to go to the doctor.
I hate shot time. It’s sweet that he was so polite. I know it’s biased, but I love when we get old lady nurses when Allie has to go to the doctor.
Two (very large) bits struck me the most. One was the story of the boy getting a shot. Just that. On it’s own it was touching and sweet. But even better, for me, anyway, was your writing in between, the bits of narrative. Nothing, NOTHING, makes me happier than imaginative and well-written (your excellent and unique way of saying things, of combining words) prose .
My faves:
- like the whisper of a dandelion settling on my skin.
- leaving just enough room for a ladybug to slip through, but only so long as her wings were folded.
- He then approaches Max with the self assurance of a tourist without a map in a country without vowels.
- The nurse smiles and every one of her hundred wrinkles reach for the ceiling.
I also loved the description of the doctor, flirting with the nurse or dinking around on his iphone as you wait in the office, and the sentence about doctors and contractors. That one almost made me laugh aloud.
Well-done . You sure know how to tell a story. If you ever need an editor…here I am.
stephs last blog post..Voluntary Lab Rat
Two (very large) bits struck me the most. One was the story of the boy getting a shot. Just that. On it’s own it was touching and sweet. But even better, for me, anyway, was your writing in between, the bits of narrative. Nothing, NOTHING, makes me happier than imaginative and well-written (your excellent and unique way of saying things, of combining words) prose .
My faves:
- like the whisper of a dandelion settling on my skin.
- leaving just enough room for a ladybug to slip through, but only so long as her wings were folded.
- He then approaches Max with the self assurance of a tourist without a map in a country without vowels.
- The nurse smiles and every one of her hundred wrinkles reach for the ceiling.
I also loved the description of the doctor, flirting with the nurse or dinking around on his iphone as you wait in the office, and the sentence about doctors and contractors. That one almost made me laugh aloud.
Well-done . You sure know how to tell a story. If you ever need an editor…here I am.
stephs last blog post..Voluntary Lab Rat