Just a Smidge

So, for the past 4 months we've been really overcome with poop in this house! Harrison, our middle child, has been having lots and lots of it. Tons. Literally. There's something going on in there, we just don't know what it is. We've been to countless Dr.'s appointments and done countless tests. We are preparing for a colonoscopy and EGD on his birthday next week. We are tired of this poop - and none more tired than Harrison!

We went yesterday for a blood draw to find out if he has Celiac Disease and also to mark how anemic he is now. I didn't sleep the night before. With any other child, I probably would have snoozed until the alarm went off, but not with Harrison. He's....well....spirited. Yes, spirited. That's what we'll call it. And loud. Very loud. The boy's got a good set of lungs on him!

Needless to say, I didn't tell the poor little guy we were going to the doctor until we were en route. I let him know we were going to see the gastroenterologist. He immediately asked if he'd have to get "poked" (that's what the child psychologists say we should call a shot these days...it sounds less threatening, but hurts the same....whatever.....). I answered that he would be getting a poke, and then he gave his lungs a good exercise. He had settled down by the time we got to the doctor, and did pretty darn well until the lab tech called his name.

We entered the lab room and he asked if it was going to hurt. The lab tech, who seemed about 15 years old, answered, "Uh, yeah....but not bad." (Thanks, Cyndi, lab tech girl. Really appreciate that.) He began to wail. I talked to him and told him it would hurt less if he was still like a statue, and it would only pinch for one second. Then we started timing seconds. He thought it might be bearable. The poke came and he yelped for a minute until it was all done, then picked his sticker out and we were on our way!

On the way out, we sat on a bench to catch our breaths and so I could give him a big hug. I told him that he was very brave. He furrowed his little brow and said, "No, not really mom. But maybe just a smidge." What a trooper. I've laughed about that ever since. I love his sincere honesty.

I'm praying we will find out what is bothering his little tummy with the upcoming tests. I'm scared, and I know he will be too, but maybe I can be very brave.....or even just a smidge.