Don't Worry, This Won't Hurt A Bit

Poor Will has had quit the week. We have learned that when the doctor tells you a little poke for an vaccination won't hurt a bit, it there are no guarantees. I took Will in on Monday to get his kindergarten physical and vaccination. I know I am way behind on this, and even got a note saying that Will won't be able to come to school if they did not have the form by the 15th. But we have been crazy, and apparently so has the doctor because they could not get us in for this for almost two weeks.  On Tuesday evening, I was putting Will in his pajamas when I discovered his arm was swollen, angry red, and hot. I immediately panicked and told Del I was taking him in to instacare. And started praying. I am very cautious about immunizations for personal reasons. I thought this could get bad.

While waiting at the emergency care Del got a hold of the on- call doctor from the pediatrician's office.  She said to give him some Tylenol, and a cold compress. I had a feeling this would be the same advice the instacare would give. Let's just say our little town's instacare is not world renowned for its treatment. So I took Will home and called to make an appointment for the next morning with the office that gave him the shot.

Turns out, that was a good thing. His doctor took one look at his arm, and jumped into action. He marked the rash and the swelling with a permanent marker, gave our skinny guy two HUGE shots of antibiotic in both legs, Will could hardly walk after that he was so miserable, prescribed an eleven day antibiotic, and told me if it didn't start going down almost immediately, to bring him to the E.R.

WHAT IS IT?

...was my obvious question. It is a staph infection from the kindergarten vaccination needle! And not only that, but the second child in one week to get this after getting a shot from our pediatrician's office. I almost could not believe he divulged this to me, but he said that the other little boy had the same initial reaction. His parents took him to the instacare where they got lots of false reassurances, and a prescription for an antibiotic that was not strong enough. Within 48 hours of that, the little boy was admitted to the hospital where, as we were speaking, they were doing surgery to try to remove the infection from his incredibly swollen arm. I was sick. And mad. And looking at one alarmed doctor. I am betting he called a "staff" meeting right away to get to the bottom of this. But if not, I will be trying to find out if any steps are being taken to deal with this. Half my friends and the people in my ward go to this man.

So to all you medical profession people. Where could this come from? The nursing staff, the needle, could it be traced to the manufacturing plant? I am so glad we took action right away. His arm is already showing much improvement, and thankfully this particular infection was not contagious. This has opened my eyes to the incredible importance to disinfected facilities and instruments.

 As soon as they told me they had to give him more shots I said, "Make sure everything is disinfected this time." Yes, I am a jerk. I wanted to tell them we would be getting those shots elsewhere, but so far, so good. I think it may be time to switch doctor's yet again! I have amazing luck with pediatricians! If they don't pass away, they tell me to watch reality t.v. for parenting tips, or keep me waiting in a tiny room for an hour, and if not that, it is staph from vaccinations! We are on a roll!  At least our Will is going to be okay, and I am praying for the little boy that unfortunately set the precedent for this doctor's office. Let's hope for the medical network's sake, that family is not the suing type.

Will was tired of me following him around with the camera. We call him our muscle man. At least as far as his right arm is concerned. Yet another lesson in caution learned.