Kaitlyn: Swine-free since October 2009

Okay, okay. I caved.

You might remember that a couple weeks back I discussed the internal debate over whether Kaitlyn should receive the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Since that time, Michelle and I have discussed a lot of things: whether Kaitlyn and I would be making a trip to New Jersey in the coming weeks (not a fan, but might go by default), what the topic of my supposed book should be (I didn't even know I was writing a book), whether the neighbor's newly-painted door looks good (I think yes, Michelle's on the fence).

But one topic that hasn't been broached is the H1N1 vaccine. Until yesterday.

You see, Michelle scheduled an appointment at the county health clinic for Kaitlyn to receive the seasonal flu shot, which I have no problem with her getting. We were sitting in the room with the doc, who then asked what we were there for (Shouldn't they know that already? I mean, it's an appointment). Michelle says, "She needs the seasonal flu shot, and the H1N1 vaccine, I guess."

Whaaaaaaat?!?!? I was sort of perplexed at this turn of events. You see, even though we received some sound medical advice, we never came to a decision. Guess there's no time like the present, huh?

So I told the doc, Listen, you've got to convince me to put this second needle in my daughter. She looked a little stunned I would say this, going against the establishment and all.

I have to say, she really didn't convince me. She mentioned something about kids being more at risk for the virus. She said something about how Kaitlyn might be even more susceptible because of  her history of developing croup.

She then told me that we'd have to bring Kaitlyn back to get a second H1N1 shot because of her age and the fact that children's immune systems aren't fully developed. She said we'd have to come back in a month.

Me: Okay, do we make that appointment now?

Doc: No, you'd just have to call another day.

Michelle: But we only got this appointment because there was a cancellation. The nurse told me on the phone that they didn't have another appointment until November 29 (Footnote: If my math is correct, that's later than a month).

Doc: Oh, well, it doesn't have to be a month.

Me: Well, then why does she need the second shot if it doesn't have to be within the allotted time?

Doc: (Blank stare)

As you can see, not real convincing. Plus, let's remember supply and demand. There's not enough vaccine to go around right now. There's not enough being made. What's to say there will be any when the time comes to get that second shot? I broached that subject with the doc, too. Got the same blank stare.

But Michelle and I looked at each other and knew what we needed to do, even if the doctor was as helpful as these dopes (especially from this past week. Explainer here, here and here). We needed to do this. So, we subjected Kaitlyn to two shots. Thankfully, her thighs are large enough to handle the needles with minimal crying.

So Kaitlyn, hopefully, will be swine-free. Save the occasional bacon. We love bacon.

Bubbles are a cure-all

Thanks to everyone who's been asking about Kaitlyn's health. She's been sick, on and off, for the last few weeks, but she's doing better and is even back in daycare part time.

But on Tuesday we had a little daddy-daughter downtime and, luckily, the weather was awesome. So we went on a little walk and then came back to the house for a little bubble time. If there's anything that cures all ills in children, it just might be bubbles.

Kaitlyn loves her some bubbles. Hell, even I love doing it with her. But Kaitlyn, she loves bubbles. Loves blowing them. Loves chasing them. Hell, she even loves eating them. The video explains that:

Fatherhood is a grind

Dentists suck.

Not like any of this is breaking news, with their flossing and braces and root canals and all. Dentists, in general, just plain suck. And if you are a dentist, don't take it personally. Take solace in the fact that for working on people's teeth, you're driving this, this or this, all while I'm driving this.

Anywho, I make my way over to Dr. C on Monday morning to get the twice-a-year song-and-dance ("Floss more, brush the backs better, why didn't your parents get you braces for those God-awful bottom teeth when you were younger?").

Sidebar: Dental assistant? Really? That's worse than flight attendant. No more. It's tooth nurse from now on. I own the copyright. Just like Gabba Coma. Moving on.

So the tooth nurse is checking (what else) my teeth and she says, "Do you grind your teeth?"

"No, why? Does it look like I grind my teeth?"

"Well, you know your teeth normally have a point to them, like a mountain range. Yours are flat. Actually, in the back they're a little inward, like a canyon."

Wait, it gets better. Apparently, I have been grinding my teeth so much that it has cracked the fillings on one side of my mouth. Plus, the enamel on the opposite side of my mouth is cracking because of this apparent grinding. Then Dr. C comes in to take a look and informs me that my, as a result of the grinding, I have been polishing my own filling to a nice shine.

I never knew I did this. Michelle never had a clue, but maybe that was thanks to the Ambien. I'm guessing it's stress-related, considering we have been a one-income family for the last five months and I'm getting more rejections than a fat girl come prom time.

So now I wait for the insurance company to tell me how much I get to shell out for a mouthpiece. If I have my choice, I'm going with something a little different.

Flu Vaccines: Needed medical treatment or Doctors' sick joke?

I really wasn't going to get in on this debate and all, but couldn't help but look up the research on kids and flu vaccines after reading a post from good ol' Becky over at TriadMommies.

Now, my response was more humorous than genuine, but it still got me thinking: Should I push a second needle into my daughter? Kaitlyn got the flu shot last year and will likely get it again this year (that "likely" part is sure to stir some debate in the Moffat house, but oh well).

But the H1N1 flu vaccine has been a topic of discussion in our household for quite some time. My wife has always been one to err on the side of medical advice, sound or otherwise. I, on the other hand, have always been one to let things pass. I get a cold and take some OJ and let it run its course. Michelle gets a cold and wants something to cure it immediately. Or else.

But when it comes to Kaitlyn, we've always been a pretty good team. I don't remember what my parents did for me when I was her age, so I only have their advice and stories to go by. But that would mean taking advice from my parents, and I can't give them the satisfaction. Same with Michelle's parents; her mother actually let one child sit at home with a broken arm so she could finish a soap opera. No joke.

So we have to trust the doctor. And I have to say, we have a great practice where we bring Kaitlyn and trust the doctors there. And then there's the research. And the stories. And the assurances from the government. And the blogosphere.

The more and more I read, the more and more I think it's safe. But there's still that little part of me that doesn't trust what I'm reading, since this is a brand new vaccine for a brand new disease. So I ask, what's more dangerous: the more combative version of the flu, or the drugs they're putting into you and your child?

I really don't know the answer to that question. I guess more reading and research for me. Note: It's stories like this, though, that really piss me off and turn me off from getting a shot on principle.

For your viewing pleasure, the government's argument for the vaccine:

Unfortunately, I can't blame Michael Moore for this Sick-O

So I've got a sick child. Again.

About two weeks ago, we had Kaitlyn in the hospital with croup. Normally not an illness that gets you admitted to a pediatric ward bed, but for us it did. For two nights.

Then, after a week of good health, Kaitlyn came home early from daycare on Friday with a little fever. Nothing major, but even the smallest fever these days sets off an alarm at our daycare louder than a Metallica concert. Something about a sick pig or something.

By the time Saturday night hit, we had a 21-month-old with a five-alarm fire in her forehead. And the snot. She was all-out sick. By the way, you're welcome for that little trip down memory lane.

After a not-so-pleasant night sleeping with the wife, the daughter and the dog, leaving me with all one-eighth of the queen bed, we were able to squeeze an appointment into the doc's office on Sunday afternoon.

The long and short, Kaitlyn's sick. Shocker there. But then the doctor began devising a plan to combat the illness, one that involved a combination of OTCs and prescription meds that would make some people very jealous.

So here we are, Monday morning. After a rough early part of the morning, we're running around like we're Usain Bolt. Guess the drug cocktail is working.