He’s still 2 after all

Carter giving Dad Wii lessons

Today we had our appointment to check Carter’s blood work at the CHOC Cancer Clinic. We didn’t hit traffic and got a parking spot right in front, so things were starting off great. When we went inside the clinic we couldn’t believe the crowd. If we do have lab work done on an outpatient basis, it is usually done at the CHOC Infusion Center (which is about a year old— and so nice). This is the clinic where tons of patients come for lab work and vitals done each week.

There are “rules” posted up in the clinic, one being “limit the number of visitors with the patient due to increased risk of infection”. Of course, Carter had his mask on but people should respect this rule of all rules. There were three other families sitting in the waiting room; one with 6 people, and two families with 5 people. We heard coughing and sniffling, and it was making my skin crawl.

They called Carter’s name after about 15 minutes, and we were taken back into the private room. The nurse was the same sweet nurse we had a couple months ago on our first and only other visit to the clinic. She had her gloves on and asked Carter if she could see his tubies. Carter said “no!” and crossed his arms. Luckily, she remembered the way to Carter’s heart last time and asked if he wanted juice and cheese and crackers first. Carter said “yes!” and walked out of the room holding the nurses hand. He came back in so happy and sat on my lap and said, “Ready nurse!” He is definitely two and knows how to push buttons and manipulate you to get what he wants. The nurse must have experience with this. I’m sure many of the cancer patients feel a loss of control and want to try and take control whenever possible.

I often have to remind myself when Carter is kicking and twisting around during a diaper change or throwing a tantrum that he is two and would probably be doing some form of this with or without cancer…although, in our family it seems easiest to just blame cancer most of the time.