Hello,
I was hoping you gals might be able to help me.  Austin has his visit
with the cardiologist next Tuesday.  These past few months with
monthly RSV shots, well visit and sick visits, Austin has grown to
abhor any doctor's office. His original appt. was 3/1, but he had a
shot the day before and when I took him in to see Dr. Rosen, he
flipped. So bad that we had to reschedule. I am nervous that this will
happen again and want to prepare him, but he is only 2.  Any
suggestions? I told him yesterday about going and a little about the
echo (he hasn't had one in over a year.) I am just so nervous he is
going to freak again.
Thanks,
Andee
Mom to Tyler and Austin (DORV w/VSD and PA)

Andee, Adam has been through the ringer with doctors too and for a long time was very afraid when I would tell him we were going to the DR. He is much better when I assure him that there will be no shots and that Dr Rosen  is not allowed to give shots. It really helps at the echo that they have kids movies playing. You could even take his favorite dvd and they would let him watch it. The echo tech at the Lancaster office has been so wonderful with Adam too. She  used to pretend to be to be super grover for Adam!

    For some reason Adam hates the EKG stickers and is always very nervous about that part. As soon as we get in the door, he is asking if he is getting stickers. They always think he means the fun stickers they give as prizes and tell him yes so he flips out. I have to quickly jump in and explain he wants to know if he is getting an EKG. As he gets older, he asks that by himself now. Those stickers remind him of the hospital monitor stickers and he knows how much they hurt being pulled off.

     Adam has also gotten Botox injections and that is painfull. when we are going to something like that, I have learned to just lie about what is going to happen or avoid the questions. If I do not do this, I would never get him in the building.

    For echo's I have always told Adam that they are just taking pictures and I promise it will not hurt. I think 2 and 3 are the hardest years for an echo. They are so afraid. They usually calm down once they realize it is not hurting them and they have the tv to watch.

   Have you considered not telling him about the appointment until you get there? I also like to talk about something fun we will do when we leave there.

   Good luck and let us know how you make out!!

   Carol