Blood Drawn

June Anne had to have blood drawn yesterday to recheck her hemoglobin levels. (They were slightly low at her one-year check-up.) As suspected, her hemoglobin levels are fine. I'm thankful that Dr. Miller wanted to make sure before diagnosing her and treating her for a condition that she really doesn't have. I'm NOT thankful, however, for what we had to go through yesterday to get those results!

When Dr. Miller said we needed to go to a lab to have her follow-up blood work done, he said that they would more-than-likely just prick her finger to take her blood. Not the case. They informed me that she would have to have two vials of blood taken! Two! Why?! They proceeded to pull out a rather large needle (at least it seemed large for my baby!) and stick my screaming child in the arm. The nurse moved the needle around for what seemed like 5 minutes before pulling the needle out - no blood drawn, mind you - and informing me that she couldn't find the vein. Ummmm, I'm sorry, what??? She then said she would have to stick her in the foot! Perhaps she's never changed a squirming baby and doesn't know the strength of their tiny legs when they are protesting something they don't want to do! At any rate, foot it was. June Anne looked up pitifully at me and screamed. Not the usually "getting a shot really stinks, Mommy" scream. This was more of a "I can't believe you are letting this happen, Mommy. You are supposed to protect me" scream. In that moment, it was more than I could handle. Hormones? Maybe. Or maybe it was the realization that there will be so many moments in the next 18 years when she has no idea that what I am doing may hurt or seem unfair, but will always be in her best interest that brought tears streaming down my face. The nurse followed suite. She was able to get one vial, and I said that would have to do. Period. We are done here. And she agreed. I think the likes of me and June Anne was more than she had planned for a Friday!

Here's my sweet girl with her wounds bandaged. She usually only has a paci at nap time and bedtime, but I thought she deserved it after such an ordeal!