Well, the first attempt at an x-ray for Sydney failed miserably. She screamed and yelled and hit and absolutely refused to have an x-ray taken. The technician was a bit of a foreboding woman who seemed to be rather put off by the fact that this x-ray might take a little bit more effort. In the end the technician got frustrated and ushered us out of the lab, Sydney trailed behind me balling her eyes out and Ehren plugging his ears asked “So, did she do it!”. Wow! What an experience.
Second attempt at the doctor led us to an appointment where again we left the doctors office with me frustrated and Sydney’s tears making marks all the way down the front of her dress.
Third times a charm I suppose because Sydney’s tonsils were the size of golfballs today and she was really not feeling well. So this morning we decided that we need to try the x-ray idea again. So we talked about it this morning, I told her how nothing would hurt it’s just a quick picture and she agreed. The whole time on the ride to the hospital she said, “I’m going to do it and it won’t hurt”. We walked through the hospital, found the lab and luckily it wasn’t too busy. The ear, nose and throat specialist put on the requisition that she had some difficulty with the physical exam and when I was getting her all checked in I did mention that particular section to her. “Oh, no problem. Has she had an x-ray here?” the receptionist asked. “No, not here but I’ve been told good things about here.” I said smiling.
We sat down for no more than 5 minutes and her name was called. We followed the technician and Sydney looked so grown up. She brought her little purse with some things that she wanted to pack and she had her little skirt on and all of the sudden my anxiety ridden daughter followed first with such pride.
The technician was FANTASTIC! She said hello to Sydney and acknowledged her and then explained that all she was going to do was take a quick picture of her throat. We walked into the room and Sydney walked right to the machine. The tech asked that she just stand in front of big metal piece and look at her name that was written on the screen. Sydney even let the lady pull her hair back and move her forward a step. I pointed out her name on the screen and we both walked behind the barrier and “click” it was done. It took us longer to set up than take the picture. The best part of it was that the technician said, “Alright Sydney we are already done…do you want to see how you look on the screen?”. Sydney said, “Ya, sure” and we both got to see her neck and nose. Then the technician praised her and told her that she has a very special sticker for her. She emerged from the back room with a cool “SUPER PATIENT” sticker and Sydney thanked her. I was ready to hug the woman because I don’t think she realized just how wonderful an experience she made for Sydney.
One more victory for Sydney and one step closer to stepping pushing anxiety behind us. My lesson today was to never give up on Sydney. As frustrating and annoying and challenging the lives of anxious children are we all need to continually push the envelope and push forward, even if it means doing the same thing a couple times before we get it right.
