Oh, we don’t like flu shots around here.
About two weeks ago, when we changed the calendar from September to October, Maddie noticed “flu shots 7:15” written on October 14. She spread the word. Jack declared that he would not be getting in the car that day. Ben was fine with it. And Miss Drama stewed about it.
In the two weeks between flu shot awareness and flu shot destiny, the subject came up a lot. Questions like Why do we have to have a flu shot? Is it going to hurt? Can we have a special treat because of it? and Whyyyyyyyy do we have to have a flu shot??? came up and were answered. Many, many times.
D-Day arrived. Maddie was sad over breakfast. “Why the long face?” I asked her. “You know why,” she replied, “Flu shots today.”
Jack reminded me he wouldn’t be getting in the car.
Ben said, “I don’t mind flu shots. I laugh at flu shots.”
In the afternoon, Maddie got off the school bus sadly. “How much longer?” she asked. I begged her to keep quiet about it…no need to remind her blissfully forgetful baby brother.
7:00 rolled around. Time to get in the car. Surprisingly, Jack got in the car with only a small bit of effort from Dave (who wisely decided to join us—Family Fun Time!) and me.
We arrived and were taken back to get our shots. Ben hopped up on the counter, got his flu shot, and became the hero of the day. Maddie was next since Jack, who was being consoled by Dave, had yet to come in the room. But Maddie, who was sobbing, told us she was sick! She might have to throw up! We raced to the bathroom, but the vomit did not make its untimely appearance. Her short reprieve over, we headed back, and found that Jack had already gotten his flu shot, and after some scuttling and fussing said, “Oh, that wasn’t bad,” when it was over.
But Maddie was a mess. Patti, the nurse was great with her, told her she was just cleaning her arm, told her she wouldn’t even pick up the needle until she was ready, and waited patiently for Miss Drama to relax. The needle went in. And back out. Maddie said, “Oh! That wasn’t bad!” and Patti said, “Do me a favor, remember that for next year, okay?!”
On the way home, Miss Drama mentioned how her arm was throbbing. Jack said, “My arm hurts too!”
Dave reminded him that he had gotten the shot in his leg.
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I took this picture of them so next year I can do Patti a favor and visually remind them that it really wasn’t that bad.
Yeah, that’ll work.
Pictured here: Phantom Pain, Miss Drama, and Benjamin the Brave
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