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Stephen update
Jan. 27th, 2006 08:08 pmThanks to everyone who left a comment about the previous Stephen entry -- I really appreciate your kind words and suggestions! We went to the doctor this morning, and Stephen was weighed, poked and prodded, and we got similar suggestions from the doctor. Stephen's weight is apparently normal for his height (he's a little under 50th %ile for height, and a little over 25th for weight) and Dr. was not concerned about it (much to my surprise and relief). He also didn't think Stephen was actually anemia based on physical findings, as his mucous membranes and fingernails are a good color, and his skin is also fine. Regarding meals, he takes the Brazelton approach, I think -- no special meals, but no pushing, either. We put food down in front of him, and if he eats, he eats, and if he doesn't but is hungry later, he gets his dinner plate again. Gulp. That seems hard to me, but I gather it works after a while... And he said children Stephen's age will not let themselves starve, and that what he does eat seems pretty normal to him. That's pretty much what I was looking for. He couldn't give me a rundown of what your average 5-year-old eats, because he said it varies so much. Basic message: stop worrying :) Message to Stephen: just eat, already! He thinks the persistent cough is probably allergy-related rather than illness, so suggested OTC children's claritin and gave us a nasal spray for him, too.
Of course, the not-fun part was the subsequent blood draw for CBC. The lab they use is just a couple of units away from the pediatrics unit (brand-new medical plaza sort of building) so we walked over, gave our information, and then the nurse went into this really weird technique that was totally lost (and perhaps even negative) on Stephen. The kind of needle they use has a little butterfly-shaped thing on the end, so she said she had a hungry butterfly that was going to drink his blood, but only a little bit (!!!!). That was even freaking me out, and I've given almost 5 gallons of blood. Stephen saw the needle and went into hyperpathetic mode -- crying, shaking, wailing, gnashing of teeth, the whole bit. She had me hold him, but he wrenched his right arm just as she was putting the needle in, so it missed the vein, and she had to pull it out and prep the other arm. NOT happy Stephen! She did get the other arm, though he was completely despondant, still crying and wailing. He wouldn't even take a lollipop when it was over. He cried all the way home, and then every time he'd move his arm, he'd say, "Ooooooowww, my arm huuuuuuurts!" and start crying all over again. And yet, he was fine when I picked him up from school. (Magic!)
He got his first report card -- mostly Ds. D = developing on a scale of B = beginning, D = developing, S = stable (or something like that -- anyway, D is the middle one). Seems about right to me. Anyway, the day started badly for Stephen, but he's much happier now!
Of course, the not-fun part was the subsequent blood draw for CBC. The lab they use is just a couple of units away from the pediatrics unit (brand-new medical plaza sort of building) so we walked over, gave our information, and then the nurse went into this really weird technique that was totally lost (and perhaps even negative) on Stephen. The kind of needle they use has a little butterfly-shaped thing on the end, so she said she had a hungry butterfly that was going to drink his blood, but only a little bit (!!!!). That was even freaking me out, and I've given almost 5 gallons of blood. Stephen saw the needle and went into hyperpathetic mode -- crying, shaking, wailing, gnashing of teeth, the whole bit. She had me hold him, but he wrenched his right arm just as she was putting the needle in, so it missed the vein, and she had to pull it out and prep the other arm. NOT happy Stephen! She did get the other arm, though he was completely despondant, still crying and wailing. He wouldn't even take a lollipop when it was over. He cried all the way home, and then every time he'd move his arm, he'd say, "Ooooooowww, my arm huuuuuuurts!" and start crying all over again. And yet, he was fine when I picked him up from school. (Magic!)
He got his first report card -- mostly Ds. D = developing on a scale of B = beginning, D = developing, S = stable (or something like that -- anyway, D is the middle one). Seems about right to me. Anyway, the day started badly for Stephen, but he's much happier now!
