Brave, Brave Martha

We just got back from a visit to the clinic (For Seinfeld fans: remember when Cramer tried to get Elaine's chart and said he worked for "the clinic"? Teehee!) today for a second round of vaccinations. Both shots hurt- a lot. The nurse displayed extreme compassion..."maybe you should get all your shots all at once" (rather than the drawn out schedule I am enforcing). She did seem sad that the shots were painful..I explained that it was most likely equally painful to babies- they just aren't able to say so. There are those that show kindness and tact and there are those that can't handle anything outside their vision of "normal". To this nurse, it was "normal" that babies have all their shots- not older children. She was confused by the fact that we chose to do something different. There wasn't outright judgmentalism...just an underlying condescension. Am I peeved? I have come to expect it from the "sheep" at "the clinic". In fact, our doctor (who is actually very kind) slipped up on our first visit and referred to people who are concerned about vaccinations as having "paranoia"...he promptly tried to cover it up, but I capitalized on it and said, "Yes, some are paranoid, but some have real questions that need answers".

This brings me to a deep seeded irritation: Why is it so wrong to ask questions? Why can't people ("sheep") handle it when other people want details? I need to know "why"- is that wrong? In this society, if you ask hard questions you are treated like you have 2 heads!!

Here are my questions:
Why are some vaccine lots causing more reactions than others? Why are there more deaths with some lots than others?
Why did some diseases become less frequent even before there was full, widespread vaccination?
Do diseases run a course that has nothing to do with vaccination?
How can we track reactions long term? If we can't, then can you assume there aren't any ?

If I choose to wait to inject my child with something until these important questions are answered am I an idiot??????? It would seem so.

I will tell you- I am not the idiot.

It is a good thing...Martha earned her lollipop today.