As everyone knows, turning three means the three-year checkup. We went yesterday morning. I was, of course, curious to know how she was progressing vis a vis the Failure to Thrive stigma that has saddled her since her one-year checkup.
This looming question added particular significance to the weigh-in.
And the height check.
After the nurse had done her measurements, Alden and I waited in the examination room for the verdict from Dr. Ramirez. When he appeared, he shared the news: Alden has gained exactly two pounds since last year, up to 23lbs from 21. She is still below the fifth percentile, but in spite of her smallness, she is, in fact, making slow but steady gains on the growth curve. By this time next year, the good doctor opined, she might actually be on it. As for height, she has grown three inches and is holding steady in the 5th-10th percentile range. The verdict: the child is small. Nothing to worry about.
The unexpected news was that she is currently stricken with bronchialitis, a result of the recent barn plague. To shape things up, Dr. Ramirez prescribed an antibiotic, an oral steroid, and…the nebulizer.
Thanks to the miracles of the contemporary medical appliances industry, children with bronchialitis are now awarded their very own air compressor and breathing mask that administers a healing vapor, to be administered, in Alden’s case, three times a day for a week. We decided to give it a try.
Notice the nebulizer on the table behind her.
Though she took it like a champ, Alden was unconvinced of the merits of the nebulizer, casting her vote with an oversized tear.
But Dr. Ramirez was equipped with the cure with what ailed her.
There’s not much that a rainbow-colored lollipop can’t make better.
Five minutes, a pneumonia booster shot, and some soul-searing screams later, we were on our way.
Over the past 24 hours, Alden has consented to three more sessions with the nebulizer. She is, in fact, now content to administer the treatment herself, a trial made easier to endure by a dose of Kipper.
You can’t see it, but her gaze is trained on the television.
Today she’s off to Baltimore with our good friends Donald and Ann, to see the circus and leave memories of the nebulizer far behind. Until this afternoon, that is. And for the next six days to come.
Small but mighty!!!
Jodi:
Mighty, indeed. You have no idea.
Matthew
Yes, a great little girl!
Oh, the sweet thing…
That tear is heart-breaking.
“…soul-searing screams…”
Well, heck, that’s what I feel like doing when they come at me with a needle. I can’t believe that measly little sucker was offered as reward. The circus is more like it!
I’d like to hear that scream if you ever get a chance to record it. And by “hear” I mean “sample it and use it for a remix of a Gwar song.”
Drew: Usually I’d be opposed to using a child’s pain and fear to further my own agenda, but your proposal is interesting. I’ll be sure to bring my field recorder the next time I take her to the doctor. If no shots are scheduled, I’ll pay off the nurse. Thanks, as always, for your visionary contributions to my child rearing.
We actually own our own nebulizer. How sad is that? The first time we had to use it (at about 4 months – darn daycare germs), Emily screamed throughout every 20 minute treatment for the whole week. Luckily, she was older the next time and was able to be hypnotized by the TV. Thus began our addiction to The Wiggles. Hope you’ve got access to lots of Kipper episodes!
Feel better soon, Alden!
I think a pilot’s helmet and goggles would raise the nebulizer’s cool factor. Kipper has a nice “take the world as it comes” kind of attitude. I find him soothing myself.
Hope to see you all soon.
Oh – and happy birthday Alden. Miss you madly.