Today I had to take my little Henlee to the doctor. She was sick and needed her 6 month shots. Unfortunately, Dave was not home, so I had all three girls with me. Let me give you a glimpse into my visit to the doctor today.
I got all three girls out of the car and put the baby into the stroller. We walked up to the doctor's office where I began to beg my 3 year old to open the door for me. She didn't understand. I then stretched my body to amazing lengths while opening a door, pushing a stroller, and grabbing my 2 year old who was attempting to run away.
After getting inside, I signed in my baby at the front desk. She is an established patient, but the receptionist still wanted to see my insurance card. I had to dig my card out of the diaper bag that was stuffed in the bottom of the stroller. I also was required to sign some legal document that I didn't have time to read because my 2 year old was in the process of running away again.
After signing in, I began walking into the well baby room. Henlee was going to see the doctor for reflux, so I did not want her and my other girls in the sick room. The receptionist began to yell at me across the office. "Is she sick?" she yelled. I began to explain that she wasn't really sick, and how my other girls did not need to go to the sick room. She then told me to wait in the lobby area. This lobby area is extremely small, drafty, and has one seat. My children were forced to sit on the cold, dirty, tile floor.
After a few minutes, we were called back. The nurse was nice, so I began to think this might be a good trip. She took some information and told us the doctor would see us in a few minutes. I gave my older girls a snack. Ten minutes later, I let my 3 year old color and gave my 2 year old some more snacks. Fifteen minutes later, my 2 year old tried to escape. Five minutes later, the girls began to fight over a chair. Three minutes later, the baby began to cry. Five minutes later, the doctor walked in.
The doctor didn't seem to care that my baby was screaming, my 2 year old was pulling on my arm, and my 3 year old was laying on the floor. He just started asking me a million questions as quickly as possible. I answered him to the best of my ability, but my 2 year old really wanted to leave the room. I then had to stand up while holding the baby and keeping my leg against the door so my 2 year old wouldn't escape. She then decided to scream and throw a fit. I put her in time-out which made her scream even louder. While this was happening, my 3 year old almost pushed the emergency button, and the doctor kept asking questions like nothing was happening.
The doctor managed to look at the baby's ears, tummy, nose, and mouth. He decided she just "had some kind of stomach bug." I could have told him that. He also told me to put more lotion on her dry skin and keep diaper cream on her "butt." I don't allow my kids to say "butt." I don't think that is a very professional word.
Before leaving the room, he informed me that a nurse would be in shortly to administer the shots. It took her 20 minutes, but she did come give the shots. My baby screamed. My 2 year old wined, and my 3 year old began asking a million questions about shots. I was sweating.
The nurse left, and I began putting on clothes, coats, and shoes. We headed to the check-out. My 2 year old decided to walk into someone's office. I apologized. The lady at the desk asked me what my copay was. I told her it was $10. I think it's $30, but I thought I would try $10 and see what would happen! Finally, we headed to the car.
