School Physical - Check!

After careful consideration we have decided to send Cole to the International Montessori school across the street.  Everyday he asks me if he has school tomorrow so it will be a welcome start for him. After comparing the Montessori to the local American International school, it seems to offer more and is much closer to home.  I'm especially excited for him to get mandarin instruction and take private piano lessons twice a week as part of the program.


The application process involves submitting a physical check-up report from a local doctor for Cole.  Cole had a physical for school done prior to leaving the USA, but they wanted a local doctor to do the checkup. 

One of the requirements of this physical was for Cole to have a fasting blood draw.  I was surprised to hear that they would have a 3 year old do a 12 hour fast (no food or water) for a physical, but I didn't make the rules.  My goal was to try to go as early as possible so that his hunger pains wouldn't be prolonged, but had to wait to go to the hospital until 9am when Ahwa showed up to watch Kenney.  There were too many unknowns in this venture to bring Kenney.  Poor Cole woke at 7:30 and immediately wanted juice, breakfast, and a sandwich.  I told him he could have a little water or eat some ice cubes.  He took me up on the ice cubes, but not shockingly was not satisfied.  The next two hours involved crying, pleading, sneaking into the kitchen - it was so sad.

The office van picked us up and took us to the hospital they specified, which was about 40 minutes away.  The driver had never been there and was looking at me as much as I was looking at him for where to go. We drove to a building that said in English "Pediatric Ward".  I decided this was a good place to start.  I forgot to mention that we were told by the school that there were no appointments so we just had to show up. 

We went in the building and to nursing station.  I had the school application with the required documentation in Chinese and showed that to the nurses (who couldn't speak English).  The nurses talked among themselves then sent for another nurse who motioned for us to follow her.  She walked us outside to another building about 3 buildings down.  She dropped us off at another desk.  Then she went and got a nurse who could speak some English.  The lobby was buzzing with people - babies, kids, adults, all in lines and pushing about.  I was grateful to have an escort.  We went to three different sections before we got to the first doctor.  It was a small exam room, like you'd find in the US, but there was a line of people filing in and out as the doctor checked chests, torsos and mouths.  Cole was great.  Took it all in stride.  Next another room where he had a hearing test.  This doctor was pretty decent with her English.  She passed Cole pretty quickly.  Finally was the blood test.  I had packed Cole a pb&j sandwich that I knew would help console him after.  He had shots before, but never a blood draw.  His lack of understanding was great cuz he rolled with it until the needle went in. Yelp!  He tried to grab the needle out.  Luckily the nurse doing the draw was skilled and got it done quick. 

After our nurse escort asked to take pictures with Cole because he was so cute.  Overall it went smoother than I thought.  We have to go back in two days to pick up his report, but the biggest hurdle for getting him in school is now done.