Mama Called The Doctor…

in Giggles on August 24, 2016

My kids have been back in school for about a week.  It has been a great week.  I have enjoyed it…I have been busier than I expected, although not for reasons that most of you are probably thinking…

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One of my sisters has been in town, and I have spent the last several days hanging out with her and her dog, Olivia.  I haven’t written anything this week because I really didn’t want to spend a whole lot of time on my computer, instead of spending time with my sister.

However, yesterday real life took over and I needed to take my daughter to the doctor for her sports’ physical, and while I was sitting in the waiting room, a message flashed across the in-office-television-screen that read, “August is National Immunization Month…are your child’s vaccines up to date?”

I have had several conversations with several people about this very topic.  Many of which went about as well as my grocery post.  I have a strong suspicion that this post will have a similar effect.

Just so there is no confusion, I am a BIG proponent of IMMUNIZING YOUR KIDS.  With all of the medical advances, there is no need for our children to run the risk of suffering from Polio, when there is a vaccine to help prevent it.

Think about some of the most vicious epidemics in human history: The Black Death of the 1300s (took out between 75-100 MILLION people), Smallpox of the 1600s in the Thirteen Colonies (knocked out almost 300,000), Measles 1740-ish in Boston, MA (killed around 50,000 people), Yellow Fever Outbreak of 1800s, Spain (claimed more than 100,000 people).

Trust me when I say, I realize that I am going to step on some toes with this post.  I understand that the Bubonic Plague hasn’t made headlines in recent memory…neither have any of these other diseases.  Perhaps the reason behind their drop from the spotlight is because we have vaccinated weapons to prevent them from wiping out entire populations.  I personally am not interested in watching my child suffer the effects of Yellow Fever, when I know FULL WELL there is a SAFE medication that will prevent him from ever acquiring the disease in the first place.

A friend of mine is a pediatrician.  She is one of the most brilliant people I have ever met.  In fact, I ask HER for second opinions on my own health, even though technically she is a kiddo-doctor.  We have had lengthy conversations about vaccinations.  Safe?  Not safe?  Pump our kids full of stuff?  Or leave them alone?  Her answer:

Load them up.

Back in the day, people could not outrun the Plague, the Fever or Smallpox.  There was no place safe enough or far enough away from these horrible weapons of Nature’s Vengeance.  When Plague came to your town or village, it was time to get your affairs in order.  The gig was up, and it was game over.  Yellow fever, scarlet fever, purple fever…they all spread the same way.  They didn’t care who they infected—young, old or in-between, rich or poor.  The death toll for these illnesses was mind-blowing.

The Black Plague knocked out almost 40% of Europe’s ENTIRE population…not the population of a city or a state or even a country…but the population of an ENTIRE CONTINENT.

My kids have been back in school for a week.  There are roughly five hundred kids all cramped up together in one building.  They all have their own individual germs and cooties that they are just itching to share with each other.  One little common cold bug will be passed around to fifteen or more families.  Why?  Because kids are carrier monkeys.  The good news is, the common cold doesn’t kill people—anymore—most of us are safeguarded against the baby germs found in the common cold because we have been vaccinated (ergo protected) against the monster germs of the Big Dogs: Measles, Mumps, all the poxes…  Now, the common cold is an irritation, and not a death sentence.

Here’s one more scenario, and then I’ll stop for the day, and y’all can post your comments about what a terrible parent I am for pumping my kids full of poison.  I mentioned that my sister is visiting with her DOG.  I have two dogs.  Did you know that I cannot take my dogs to the groomer or to Doggie Daycare UNLESS they are up-to-date on ALL of their vaccines?  Even my sister asked me if my pups were current with our own vet before she brought Olivia down for a visit.

I have noticed over the last week, that my sister’s dog and my own dogs behave extremely similarly to children.  They play.  They fight.  They chew on the same toys; which means, as gross as it sounds, they are swapping bodily fluids.  Our children do the same things.  While at school, they play, they fight, they chew on the same things (toys, pencils and eat off of the same utensils).  When one kiddo has something, it becomes very easy—almost probable—to pass that germ along to another, especially when they are placed into such close proximity.

As parents it is our right, honor, and responsibility to protect our kids.  That means we feed, shelter, clothe, and love them.  But that also means we protect them from dangers we cannot yet see…to the best of our ability…vaccinate your kids.  The consequences of failing to do so, are simply not worth it.

Here’s hoping you have a Cootie-free day!

-Dallas

Don’t forget to check out my new Facebook page, and to book me for speaking to your Mom’s group or Women’s group, contact my publicist.

0 thoughts on “Mama Called The Doctor…”

  • Lorelei Albrecht says:

    I agree with you! Kids are passers of germs! They are gross little beings at times, as are adults! Anyhow, I go with recommendations for vaccines of my children with the exception of one. I will not subject them to guardacil. I think that HPV is a different concern because it is preventable! I will say that I do not allow my children to get more than 2 shots at a time though. I feel that spreading out the childhood vaccines is easier on their systems than let’s say 4-5 shots at one time.

  • Janna Johnson says:

    Dallas,

    I am not a anti-vaci in the least and agree with what you are saying. I would like to say to all the new moms out there please educate yourself. The big pharmaceutical company and doctor will guilt you into vaccinating your kids as seen in the latest TV commercials but I feel like each child is different. As you know Dallas, my Savannah has fought ITP for 17 long years having to stay home from her first 2 years of college because her platelets were dangerously low finally having chemo has given her the relief we have all prayed for. Yes she is now a proud Texas Aggie, enjoying life and studying to be a teacher. If you look on gov.com you will find the government has given 2.1 Billion dollars to families of damaged children and it lists ITP as one of the side effects of the MMR vaccine and NO we didn’t get a dime! I’ve also read that the HPV vaccine is also another culprit so please don’t let yourself be bullied into vaccines that are not 100% necessary. Know your children and if they are prone to easily become ill with a weaker immune system then take your time, don’t give them 3 vaccinations at a time, spread them out even if the doctors office gives you a hard time, remember you are the customer and don’t be bullied. I know this will make some people upset. Like I said I am not Anti-Vacine, I pray for a safe vaccine for all children! Sorry so long but really it’s not compared to 17 years of worry, praying, doctors appointments and so many different treatments to repair what was damaged.

    • dladmin says:

      Janna,

      Thanks for your comment! I remember your sweet girl’s troubles. I agree with spacing out vaccines…it takes a bit more time and toil at the doc, but it is easier on the kiddo!

      Hugs,
      Dallas

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