Both of my kids had their annual doctor visit yesterday. Our ped. recommended blood work for DS (almost 11) because he has lost a little bit of weight since last year. No immediate concerns, but to get blood work just to be sure everything is OK. I had planned on taking him to the lab today but he is in his bedroom and is refusing to go. This is my laid back, easy going kid! I've tried everything. Explained the whole process and how it's hurts just a little bit, like a pinch, etc.. I know he is remembering his ambulance rides that involved an Epi-pen injection and failed attempts at putting in an IV. Poor kid. I told him we can't simply blow this off, that I would be a bad mom if I didn't follow doctor's orders. After positive approaches had no effect, I told him no TV, PC or video games until he gets the lab work done. Argh! I also made it quite clear that if he doesn't go today he WILL go tomorrow, so why prolong the process?!

Help!

By Kaye on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:20 am:

ya know, I will probably be different than most on this. But I think you have said and done all the right things and I would go back to him and say, I am the mom, the doc gave orders and we will follow them. We are leaving at 2 oclock to go get this done. You have the choice to come willingly, or for me to drag you, but we will go. And at 2 oclock, I would drag him kicking and screaming if that is what it took.

If you wait till tomorrow, he will really work himself up and likely make himself sick. I think it is best to get it over with.

However, I am not against some bribes, is there a new drawing book, sketch book he wants. If it is something that he can read, I would go buy it and then go to the office. And I would tell him, we will go here first and get your book, then we will do the blood work.

Parenting sucks somedays huh?

By Jackie on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:22 am:

Oh Trina, I feel your pain. My son is to turn 13 next month. A couple of weeks ago he had to for his camp physical. He kept asking me if he was getting any shots. I said, no at 13 you dont need any shots. I was certain of this, or so I thought LOL...Well the dr looks at him, looks at his chart and states, oh he can get the tetnus shot(she actually called it something else). She said either now or next time he comes in. My son burst into tears. Here he is almost 13 and hes afraid of a shot. He said "Ill get it next time", and I said "No, he will get it now"..He was so scared. The dr walks out and I had use the restroom. He cried for me not to go. I said "Matthew, I will be back in a minute"..Then when it was over, he said it was no big deal.
But..previous to the appt, he told me if he needed any shots, he just wouldnt go, plain and simple.
So although I have no words of wisdom,just wanted you to know we go through the same stuff over here LOL

By Colette on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:31 am:

Good luck Trina, I think you said all the right things. I don't think I would wait til tomorrow though, I would just get it over with so it doesn't turn into a bigger deal than it really is. Make sure when you go into the lab they know he is terrified, they will probably get someone who is really good at getting it the first time and putting nervous people at ease while it's being done. Tell him you called the lab and the technician that's working today does a really good, relatively painless and quick job of it and that she won't be there tomorrow.

poor kid. poor you!

By Amecmom on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:38 am:

Good luck and hugs. You did do and say all the right things. You may just have to do as Kaye suggests.
Here's another thought. How much weight has he lost? Enough to really be concerned or not so much that it is most likely just that he is becoming more muscular and losing "baby" fat? Especially now that it is summer and that he is probably very active?
Some kids just don't gain - or they loose, but they grow taller and broader.
You may just have to put it on the shelf for a few weeks and then get him to go when he's not so resistent or frightened.
Lots of hugs.
Ame
You may want to make the call to

By Debbie on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 12:15 pm:

{{{{hugs}}}}

I agree with everyone else, I would try and get him to go today. I would think prolonging it until tomorrow would just be worse.

I can totally sympathize. My youngest has had so much testing done because of reflux and allergies, he hates to go to the doctor. I felt bad the last time we went because they ended up doing extra testing that really hurt. He isn't happy that we are going back Thursday, even if it is just to make sure his new meds are working.

{{{{hugs}}}} to both of you. And, I am like Kaye, I bribe when all else fails. Now, we always go for snow cones after a doctor's appt.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 12:21 pm:

Thanks, everyone! I told him, "Honey, I know you're scared. That's perfectly normal. Even adults don't like to do this, but you need to do this for health sake. We're leaving at 1:00 and if I have to carry you out to the van, I will." He has since come out of his room and has a much better attitude. I'll let you know how things went. Wish us luck!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 12:39 pm:

Ditto everyone and sounds like that what you've done. {{HUGS}} and I hope everything goes well!

By Enchens on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 01:24 pm:

gosh, I wish I had seen this post earlier. I hope things went well. If they didn't, then next time he gets blood drawn, if they used the needle and syringe way, I would suggest asking the technician about using a butterfly. It's still a needle, it just doesn't hurt as much. And if they need to take more than one vial of blood, you can't feel when they switch vials.

Sincerely, Enchens, aka biggest adult chicken when it comes to needles, yes, even today. LOL

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 02:54 pm:

UPDATE: Ty did great! He was reluctant to go but cooperated. The lab tech was an older woman who was very patient and took time to make him feel more at ease. She asked him questions about his interests and kept him chatting about drawing, etc. while she did her thing. He was very relieved when it was over and claimed it was no big deal, just like we said he would. LOL! *Phew!*

By Tink on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 03:12 pm:

I bet you were a good mom and refrained from saying "I told you so!" I'm glad to hear that it wasn't a big deal for him. Most of the time, the hype is so much worse than the actual experience.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 07:39 pm:

Great news, Trina. I'm so glad he was able to take that step. What a great young man you are raising!
Ame

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 12:02 am:

I'm glad he was able to cooperate, in the end! A nice phlebotomist doesn't hurt, either.

The last time I had blood drawn, I didn't even feel the needle poke. She is good.