This post may be TMI for some. However, if you've had children or spent significant amounts of time with them, it's just the norm.
About a week and a half ago, I had to take Blake to the doctor. She had an infection on her rear. The pediatrician didn't culture it, but acknowledge that it was either staph or strep and that a 10 day regimen of antibiotic should clear it right up. Within 48 hours, Blake was well on her way to recovery.
Obviously, that isn't exciting enough to be a post of its own, so here's be rest of the story...
After about 48 hours when the infection appeared to be healing nicely, Blake began grabbing at her bottom and whining A.LOT. I mean constant whining. As pitiful as she was, it made me smile (just before I began to think obscenities) each time she said, "Hut me! It hut me!"as she pulled at her crotch. I began to investigate this situation and finally figured out that although the whining was persistent, it was definitely exaggerated each time she had to pee.
Although she was on an antibiotic for the original infection, it seemed that maybe she had developed a urinary tract infection to go along with it. After spending a while on the phone with the nurse and the doctor on call, he suggested that we bring her to the office the next morning.
Naturally, they needed a urine sample from the very NOT potty-trained two year old. After several minutes of begging, bribing, and praying for urine, they decided to cath her to get the sample. Surprisingly, the sample was clear. So, as the pediatrician sat and watched Blake's hiney-grabbing, whining, squirming display of discomfort, he agreed that something was going on with her. But, he also acknowledged that he wasn't sure what the problem was because everything seemed to be normal and she did not "feel" constipated, etc.
He assured me that within a day or so she would either get better or her problem would become obvious enough to identify. Although I agreed, I was hesitant to leave the office without a real answer. After all, I wasn't concerned about a life-threatening situation, but I was concerned about my sanity with all of the whining, crying, etc. As I gathered up our things and he completed his chart notes, Blake loudly proclaimed, "I POOP!"
And, she did. Yes, she was constipated. Yes, she did cry. After witnessing "the poop", the doctor said that he was glad to know the problem but didn't really suspect it because she was so well hydrated, her abdomen didn't feel "full", and her discomfort seemed to be related to urinating.
Well, the problem was identified and a solution was in progress. And, we even had a plan to prevent the problem in the future. But, what we don't seem to have is Blake's faith.
She has been medicated for over a week now. She has only had soft poop in a week. However, the kid won't poop! Now, I know this has you thinking more about poop than you typically would in a month (unless you are my friend Jessica), but I am losing my mind!
Here's just a glimmer of our last 48 hours...
Blake: Momma, it huts me. Momma, up me! Up! Me! (As she squeezes her butt cheeks together and reaches up for me to hold her)
Me: Do you need to go potty?
Blake: No!
Me: I think you need to poop. Let's go sit on the potty.
Blake: No!
She sits on the pot. I read a book to her. I ask her to poop. I tell her to poop. I beg her to poop. She squirms and squeezes her butt cheeks together and tries to get off the pot. After about 10 minutes, I surrender to the toddler, replace the diaper, and begin again.
Blake: Up me! Hut me!
Me: Let's go potty
Blake: No!
I sit with her and try to talk her into pooping in the diaper. She continues to squirm and whine and make me crazy. She doesn't poop. She stands up and tries to walk around, but can't walk because she's trying to hold her butt cheeks together so she won't poop. Frustrated beyond explanation, my "super mom skills" kick in and I very affectionately grumble at her, "If you're gonna poop then do it. No one can do it but you. If you're not going to poop then just keep crying and whining about it. I'm sure it will help the situation."
Yes, this is my confession. I have ZERO patience left with this situation. How do I convince the kid that she is cured and should poop as needed?
