Tuesday, October 27, 2009

I decided to do it.

I got both of my kiddos all vaxed up today. I had thought for sure that I wouldn't go ahead with the H1N1 vaccine, but I changed my mind. As the days went on, I had begun to fear the swine flu more than the vaccine, so I decided to go with it. Please don't flame me.

I called our pediatrician's office to enquire about the availability of the H1N1 vax and because of Dylan's ol' bonus chromosome, both he and Cassidy fall into the "high risk" category. Our appointment was this morning and so far, so good.

Trust me, I am on high alert for any side effects, but to be quite honest, I feel good about my decision. I think.

Ah. As I lied in bed last night, tossing and turning, I couldn't help but stress the heck out, I mean, ponder this whole parenting thing and how insanely difficult it can be at times. I don't know. I just did not feel...good having to choose between possibly allowing my kids to get sick from the Swine Flu or possibly harming them from a vaccination. Bah. Maybe I'm over thinking this and maybe I'm being dramatic, but still. It's hard. For me, having to make decisions that involve the well being of my children is just. plain. hard.

Time will tell, I suppose. But for now, all is good. My kids have forgiven quite easily and we are happy. I think bopping around in the car on the way home to I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas helped all of us.

~

Hold on. You didn't think that I'd be capable of completing a post without mentioning spit up, now did you? Ha! C'mon now!

Dylan's endoscopy is scheduled. You know, the thing that will help us figure out the root of all of his spit up issues?? Yes, that. It will be on November 4th. The one year anniversary of his open heart surgery, naturally.

15 comments:

Derek, Kenzee and Gage said...

I think you made a smart choice... personally. I got Gage's shots done and I felt so much better as I walked out of the doctors office. I totally fear the flu more than the shot.. just me! Good luck on the 4th!

Leigh Anne said...

laurie...last week i was n tears, threatening to not leave my house until march, lol. i hate the decision too! it's becoming more & more difficult for me. i was adamant about not getting it, but now, i'm wavering...though, if we're talking rusk, i don't think she'd fit since we stay at home...and i'm over 25 (bah, lol). guess i can at least put off the decision until her 15 month wcc!

hope you get answers w/ the upcoming exams...

hugs as always :)

Adrienne said...

I'm with you on this one. Usually I don't think twice about flu vaccines or any vaccines for that matter but the media has done a great job at scaring everyone either way! My husband and I got both flu vaccines and the girls have gotten the regular one but not sure where I can get the H1N1 just yet. Bennett does not qualify for another month. I think it will be fine, I honestly think the media just loves to get everyone up in arms about this, it's kind of ridiculous really.

Dina said...

We struggled too with the decision just for the regular flu shot. So much so that I panicked an hour before they were suppose to get it and called to reschedule. We did go and I'm glad we did. Can't get the H1N1 yet so haven't grappled with that yet. I'm sure I will have another breakdown. All this vaccine stuff is making me nuts. So torn!

Rachel said...

You are definitely right, parenting is entirely too hard sometimes.
When it comes down to it, we have to trust our guts... You did, and based on the fact that you chose what you think is best for your family, I know you made the right decision.

Kade has not had any vax's, and he caught H1N1 at the end of last week. Though he's been one sick little booger, he is over the worst, without having to be hospitalized or having any other complications like the media is making everyone believe is inevitable with this virus.

Just keep going with your gut hun, you're doing just fine =)

The Lehnick Family said...

Laurie...I just got off the phone 5 minutes ago to check on the H1N1 shipment of vaccines...still not in...I wasn't all for it in the beginning...but definately am now...everyone will have an opinion on this, but I am with you on this...I will worry myself sick to know that I didn't try to prevent it! Plus there was a little boy 6 years old with DS that died in our local community last week...my heart broke for that family...so we are just waiting for the call...

Hope all goes well with the endocscopy....let us know.

Tausha said...

Trust your motherly instincts. We don't have any around to even go and get one. argh!!!

Lisa said...

We drove over an hour to get our kids vaccinated and stood in line for several hours. Our oldest has asthma and Bridget is high risk because of her age and the bonus chromosome. The H1N1 vaccine is very hard to come by in our area and the schools are getting hit really hard right now with illness. It is tough to know what to believe about the vaccine, but I think it is safe and important. I took a lot of time to research, and feel like we're doing everything we can to keep our children healthy.

Our high risk kids got the shot and the other three got the mist version, by the way. All did great (no issues afterward).

Lis said...

Being a parent and making all these big decisions is so much harder than I ever imagined. I totally think you did the right thing.

Amanda said...

Totally agree w/your feelings about the vaccine. As you know, I got Jane the vaccine, but still didn't feel super great about it. It just seemed like the benefits outweighed the risks, ya know? Here's hoping it was the right thing to do! Plus, her office isn't even doing the booster shots because of low supply, so she's not even fully vaccinated anyway - ugh!

Anne and Whitney: Up, Down and All Around said...

that is crazy that his endoscopy is scheduled one year to the day since his open-heart surgery! this parenting thing seems much more difficult than it should be, doesn't it!!! maybe there is too much technology avail. and we have so many resources that we can't possibly process and make a decision without questioning ourselves!!!

Bethany said...

It is so stressful. I am leaning the other direction, but everyone has to make their own decision. I personally think the hype is ridiculous and the more I read, the more I lean. :)

Kellsey said...

We caved and vaccinated our kids, too. It's so easy for people to tell you that H1N1 is no big deal. Maybe if you don't have a kid who ends up hospitalized all the time, that's the way you think. I prefer not to take that chance! So far we haven't had any side effects from the vaccine that I can see.

Kelli said...

Tim and I were able to get our vaccines last week through work. Just waiting for the Dr. to have them available for the girls.
I wasn't sure about it at first but after a little research I felt much better about it.
Good choice on getting them vaccinated.

Jennifer said...

Oops, I accidentally posted as Kellsey above. I forgot to log out of another account. Sorry!