Mar. 13, 2008 - You should have seen his face...
So, what's a mom to do? After a fever for seven days straight, I gave in and made a Dr. appt. Not just for my sickest child, but for the other two who started exhibiting the same symptoms. Being in a new town, I was not an established patient anywhere and trying to get someone to see three children at once was, shall we say, not an easy task. Fortunately, I know someone with pull 
who made some calls and got us all in.
What she did not know, was that while I am not a full on granola girl, I do not immunize my children. As sick as they were, I decided to risk public flogging and go to the pediatric practice she was able to get us appts at. After a veeeerrryyy long wait in the waiting room, we were ushered back to the smaller waiting room...for another equally long wait. While my two year old daughter entertained herself by drawing all over the paper that is on the examining table (and herself...and her pants), I mentioned to my boys that this must be what hell was like...waiting, being shuffled from room to room with no resolution in sight. They were pretty lucid for fevered children and quickly corrected me. Hell would be much worse they assured me. "It's very hot and you burn up and die," said my younger one. The oldest quickly said, "Nope you don't die. You just burn up, forever." This lead to some interesting theological discussion which we had time for because we were, you know, w.a.i.t.i.n.g....
When the nice Doctor finally made time for us came into our little room, we had to do a history of each child since he had no records and we were not established patients. We started with my oldest and worked our way down. Because I was a young mom and did not know any different, my oldest received all his vaccinations at least through 18 months, maybe even to two years. My second son had some complications at birth (a 21 day hospital stay from meningitis caused by Strep B. We are very blessed that he is still with us and suffers no long term problems at all) , so his vaccination schedule was not as 'on date' and I suspect I did not keep his shots updated due to switching insurance carriers and a move during his first two years of life.
It was during this time that a friend recommended that I read
A Shot in the Dark.
Since I deeply respected her, I took the time to read it, but dismissed the books message at the time, because this book seemed inflammatory and centered on just one vaccination. There were many others that were helping families? Weren't there?
A seed had been planted. When our next son was born, we were in a new area and I had another friend who challenged me on vaccinating. When I pressed her for answers though, she blithely mentioned that her chiropractor told her not to, so she didn't.
Since I need an answer with substance, I decided to do some research on my own. First, I read The Virus and the Vaccine. This book reads like a medical thriller, but it is all true. (okay, a little slower, but a page turner none-the-less) This book convinced me that researching vaccinations further was worth it. My goodness, the very thought that there was evidence that suggested that some strains of the polio vaccine were contaminated and the government worked to cover it up made me wonder who was looking out for me and my kids? ! The answer, ME!
I read a great deal of other information when we found we were expecting baby number four. There are six years between boy three and baby four. These ideas had begun to take root. I read everything I could get my hands on...Since we were homeschooling I had never needed to get the boys booster shots and we never needed proof of immunizing for our co-op. So, I had kinda relaxed on the subject, but I was up for the challenge now.
There is a LOT of information out there. Much of it is mis-information disseminated to us 'en masse' by the Health Officials...or completely inflammatory anti-establishment rants by the dyed-in-the-wool hippies and granola folks. Since I try to stay balanced, I am not really in either camp...
Probably the BEST book I read, and one I would heartily recommend to you, is Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives
The author is balanced in her perspective (I liked that) and does not tell you what to do, rather educates the reader on the risks and challenges associated with vaccines as well as the history of the disease and what the options are if you choose NOT to vaccinate.
Which brings me back around to the title of this post...(if you are still reading we are probably already good friends or you are terribly bored. Either way, thanks for hanging out) Back in the Doctor's office yesterday, we got to the history of my daughter, who we have, after a lot of research and prayer, decided not to immunize. You should have seen that Doctor's face...it looked a little like this
. Seriously, he came just shy of covering his mouth in utter horror. I am grateful he treated them yesterday, but I am sure I was fodder for the water cooler today.
BTW~ they all have the flu. The real flu. Influenza, strain B. Oh joy.
Comments
Mar. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by blessedwith2angels
Hi Phyllis, I had to laugh at your doctor's appt. I could just see the look on the doctor's face. We go to Chattanooga Family practice and see a LNP. He is really great--very thorough, etc. Plus we are in and out in no time. The office is right behind East Ridge hospital.
Hope everyone feels better soon.
Pam
Mar. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by FruitfulFamily
I must say, unfortunately, that I know all about long waits at the doctor. Our pediatricians joined another practice. This one is in a not so safe part of town (well that's if you think anyplace is safe), and we wait hours on end. At the old place we didn't wait any longer than 15-20 minutes. I have thought, recently, about the whole vaccination thing. Maybe I should look into it.
Mar. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Prayers for a speedy recovery for all involved.
JoAnna
Mar. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Melanie
I'm new to your blog (from the UBP- just finally making my way around- thanks for visiting me, by the way)- so I'm not a friend, nor was I bored by your post. Actually I have an almost 18 month old who we have had vaccinated, but have started to worry about the immunizations and whether or not it is best to have them done. I'm curious- do either of your older children have any problems from their vaccines? Or did you just decide to not do them on your youngest because of what you had read?
Anyways- I hope everyone is feeling better. I certainly enjoyed my visit to your blog!
http://livinwithme.com
Mar. 16, 2008 - Fruitful and Melanie..and others
Posted by HSmom0f4
If you are thinking of researching vaccinations, pray about it. Thoughtfully consider what you will do if your child does get sick (they might!) Read a lot of books and ask a lot of questions. Remember, this can be a touchy subject for some people and some information is going to be slanted. I recommend that book about Vaccinations in my post because it is sound information and not inflammatory at all.
Mar. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
It's been a couple of days now - how is everyone doing?
Loved the doctor's office story. :) Thanks for sharing the book links.
Kathy in WA
Mar. 19, 2008 - Hello
Posted by Anonymous
This is the other Phyllis...lol.
I am curious about the not vaccinating. Have you had trouble with the-powers-that-be about your decision? Obviously with homeschooling it would appear you missed the biggie...all of mine had to have shots to get into school, etc.
I am gonna add u to my Rss feed:). Also, are you familiar with flylady, net? Check her out..I love her style.
Mar. 19, 2008 - Give-A-Way
Posted by Anonymous
I am having a bag give-a-way to celebrate my 200th post! Come here to check it out:
http://scrappynhappy.blogspot.com/2008/03/200th-post-woot-woot.html
Mar. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dalena
Hey! I love this post! I can't believe you actually found a "smiley face" to match the doctors response...hilarious. I also love the theological discussion. I hope everyone is doing better. I was also "down for the count" quite sometime after returning from TN. I was literally in bed for almost a WEEK! By the fifth day I was beginning to think it was permanent and began to beg God for my life....or just let me die...yes, I was that miserable.It was awful, I REALLY hope everyone is better!
Mar. 27, 2008 - Jane @ What About Mom?
Posted by Anonymous
Vaccinations are a very controversial subject. I like that you tried to be balanced and rational in approaching it.
And I love to see people deciding to do research and thinking for themselves and not just accepting every word from the mouth of anyone (official or hippy, as you say).
I am always dumbfounded at the questions I get asked at well-child checkups. They are sooooo stupid. But I still go, and I do still vaccinate. Everyone has to decide for themselves what level and kind of risk is most acceptable to them, and then act on it.
Mar. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JenIG
hey-hey-hey my par-tay FPEA sistah!
and *yes* I am so on board with you. I always get THE LOOK at the Dr.s office, too. but in all truth, i enjoy setting them off. that's probably a bad thing, but it's true.
