Joshua had Doctor appointments 4 out of 5 days this week.
Monday was "cast off" day. He was a little anxious (as was his Ma Ma) about the saw tool that they used to remove the cast and he and I were both somewhat shocked by the build up of black dead skin on his fingers and palm and the pin that was poking out through the top of his hand. (I don’t know why I expected all the scars to be completely healed after only 5 weeks. My surgery scars are more than 18 months old and still have some healing to do.) Joshua was most concerned because he thought his hand looked dirty and he kept poking the pin and saying "Ma Ma what is that?" When the doctor came into the room he reassured me that the hand looked great and it was how he expected it to look. He used plier like tools and twisted the pin out of Joshua’s hand as Joshua watched and asked "What he doing Ma Ma?" The doctor also informed me that there is another pin in his hand and he hopes that it will work its way out in the next couple of weeks, eeewwww!
Tuesday was his first physical therapy appointment. The therapist was very sweet and Joshua enjoyed playing "pick up" games with her. We will go once a week for about a month so I can learn a bunch of exercises to help Joshua adapt to using his thumb and index finger separately.
Wednesday was the visit with the eye doctor. Her evaluation indicated that the patching is continuing to improve Joshua’s vision. She will recheck in July and decide if he is ready for his eye surgery at that point.
Friday was Joshua’s 4 year old check up and follow up blood work. I did tell him ahead of time that there would probably be a shot involved and that he would also have to have some blood taken out of his arm. He reluctantly went along with his stuffed penguin and the promise of M & M’s after every stick. Our pediatrician is very nice and quite thorough. As soon as he walked into the room Joshua said to him "Excuse me sir, I do not like to get a shot." This cracked up the doctor who responded with we’ll take a look at you and talk about it later. I had been preparing myself all week for the trauma of this appointment but had only figured on the needle sticks being difficult. The doctor asked me to help Joshua undress to his underwear and put him on the exam table. Joshua freaked out! He was screaming and climbing into my lap clinging to me. I had a flashback to his medical exam in China where his reaction was nearly the same. In China he wanted the safety of his stroller, as his confidence in his Ma Ma was not what it is today (Praise God!!). This reaction was a reminder of the mystery that is his past. He has so amazed us with his adaptability and courage, adjusting to a whole new life and family, that we sometimes forget about the grief and trauma that are in his past. Instead of dwelling on all the unknown heartaches that I long to have protected him from, I celebrate the comfort and security that I have become for him. (By the way, this first Mother’s Day of mine was just a dream come true and a little piece of Heaven on Earth!) The doctor allowed him to stay fully clothed and did most of the exam with Joshua in my lap. Finally after a quick single vaccination we were off to the lab for the blood work. I promised him a trip to Chick-Fil-A for lunch when it was over and in we went. We got to go right back, and with Joshua in my lap and the stuffed penguin in his, the lab tech began her task. I cannot watch such things, but I could tell by the look on her face she was not finding a vein. After what seemed like an eternity she called another tech to come in and try his other arm. Joshua was already pretty distraught and could not quite comprehend why this had to be done again. The new (very pregnant) tech was able to get a vein right away and then proceeded to have a contraction. The first tech was still in the room and was able to help steady her and then finish filling the vials for Joshua’s blood work. We were both VERY relieved to have all of it behind us. Joshua continued to sniffle and speak through occasional sobs for the entire 6 minute ride to Chick-Fil-A. We are currently praying that the blood test will show that Joshua is immune to Chicken Pox so that he can avoid that shot. I found out it is a requirement for school. (I will go into all the school details in a future post.)
I did not plan it out this way, but in hind sight I am so glad that my first Mother’s Day was how this week began. Helping a child through a week of distress brought on by medical professionals is part of the job. I daily thank my Savior for allowing me the opportunity to experience Motherhood and to be called Ma Ma by the sweetest little boy on Earth.
Happy belated Mother’s Day to all my bloggy friends! Here’s to the good, the bad, and the ugly of Motherhood, and knowing you are not in it alone!!
. Joshua’s classroom will either be right next to mine or right across the hall so I am sure we will both be o.k. We will have our first real test of separation in a couple of week when we go to Vacation Bible School. I will be leading the music time and Joshua will be in his own class. It is only 3 hours for 5 days in a row, but it will be the closest thing to school he has ever done. I have also signed him up for a week of summer camp at Bridgeway in July, so I can have some time to set up my classroom. I have been so blessed to stay at home with Joshua this year and discover my favorite job, and I feel blessed to be able to return to my now, second favorite job, teaching Kindergarten. We have some fun events and activities planned this summer so check back often for pictures and updates.
