If there’s a time when you wish it was yourself who was being prodded, poked and scanned like a barcode, it’s when your child is undergoing unpleasant hospital tests.
We’ve known for a while that my oldest son has – and this is going to sound odd – an extra ear. Not on his head. On his bladder (a diverticulum is the proper name). It’s likely to need a fairly major surgery to prevent kidney damage and so we’ve been making a few trips to City Hospital recently for various tests.
The first of which I’m still traumatised about, because it involved the eye-watering insertion of not just one, but THREE catheters – with no pain relief or anaesthesia. But I’m blogging about the test he had this week because it opened my eyes to a branch of medicine I knew nothing about.
Nuclear medicine.
On the morning of the nuclear scan, I felt so bad telling him the good news – and then the bad news.
“BB, mommy and daddy are coming to pick you up from school today – early.”
“Really!” he grinned.
“But then we have to go to the hospital again, for another test. Nowhere near as bad as the last one, ” I added quickly.
“Awww,” he replied, a flicker of fear passing through his eyes, followed by silence.
Radioactive Man: BB gets special powers
BB, who seemed far less worried than us, kept busy playing Angry Birds (don’t you just wish you could distract yourself that easily?)
He was totally unfazed, until the Filipino nurse inserted the needle – and then all hell broke lose.
“He will keep still, won’t he?” asked the technician, as the nurse injected the radioactive fluid that was to go round his body. “For 30 minutes.”
THIS was the part I was dreading. If he moved, the test would have to be done again. I just couldn’t imagine my darling boy not moving for a whole half hour – not my active 6YO, who doesn’t even stay still while asleep (he sleep walks, even!)
And so started the bribery.
“BB, you have to stay still. If you stay still, we’ll take you straight to Chuck E. Cheese’s afterwards. AND the toy store. You can buy whatever you want.
“How about that 135-piece 3D Titanic model you really wanted? Mommy will help you make it.” [boy, did I regret that one!]
“And Global Village – we’ll go there too. Tomorrow.”
It worked – his panic subsided, his breathing slowed.
“And BB, you know what? This test is going to give you superhero powers! You’ll be like Radioactive Man – for the rest of the day. How cool is that?”
Very, apparently. Enough to keep my little wriggler quiet and as still as a statue – almost – for 30 long minutes while the scan was successfully carried out. Phew!
He may not have glowed green that afternoon, but he is my superhero.
Oh that must have been a tense time for you all! How is the building of the Titanic model coming on?
The Titanic model is half done – it’s taking hours! It’s bound to end up in the swimming pool, isn’t it?!!
What a brave boy AND brave Mummy! xx
SO glad to get that over with! xx
Speaking as a person who used to be miserable just taking her babies for regular injections, that sounds like a really unpleasant experience! I don’t know much about pediatric nuclear medicine, but I can’t imagine that they are that fortunate with very many of their little patients – it was all I could do not to go bonkers when I had to have an MRI of my spine a few years ago, and I’m quite a bit older than BB. I would be tremendously proud of him, and I think he’s entitled to every glittering carrot you dangled before his nose – yes, even that Titanic model!
Yes, the Titanic model was very well deserved! All 135 3D pieces! We’re still making it..!
Poor little guy (and mom and dad!)…I promise THE WORLD when my kids are having anything physically painful done!!! Glad he made it through without moving, quite the feat!
I really can’t quite believe he didn’t move! Amazing! I honestly thought the only way he wouldn’t move would be under sedation…So happy it’s over!
I’m amazed he stayed still! I had an MRI the other week and keeping still for 30 minutes was difficult enough for me. Hope the surgery won’t be too traumatic.
Thanks A. Thinking of you xxx
Sweet BB – such a good job staying still! I remember BB being 6 months old at My Gym and bouncing, bouncing ready to take on the world and move! Yes, brave mommy indeed. I sobbed when J was a baby and needed vaccinations. You will get through this M family and we’ll hold you in our hearts and thoughts. Please keep us posted. xxoo
Thank you Sandy! I really appreciate your thoughts xoxo – HaPpY BiRtHdAy to J! 🙂