Call The Nurse

"Call the nurse.
Call the nurse
I'm in pain, I'm in pain.
Everything hurts.
Vital signs.
In horizontal lines...
Call the nurse.
Call the nurse."
- Lee Harding



The thing I have been dreading the most since we decided to move here...I had to face today. The boys' "well check" with the nurse! In Finland you are assigned a nurse according to your address. She deals with all children and maternal health issues for the family. Little is passed due for his 15 month check up and I wanted to see if either child needed additional immunizations.


Not having a clue what to expect, I was rather nervous. The offices of the nurses are located at an area hospital. The floor had the look of a typical hospital, but everything was written in Finnish. Rather than being equipped for a patient room, each contained (as you can see in the pic) a "gyno-trolley", exam table for infants, children's table with books and puzzles, desk with computer, and basic equipment including a scale, sink, sharps, etc. The room was clean, that is all I wanted.


Our nurse was awesome! First, she spoke English (thank God). She, and other nurses I saw in the hall, were wearing aqua-colored aprons (You think Sharon Tourville would go for that?). Our family basically received a general assessment. She asked us how we all were adjusting, eating & sleeping habits, allergies, etc. Then took everyones height and the boys' weight (Big: 12.5kg & 92.5 cm; Little: 11.5 kg & 84 cm). She gave me a hand out to start them on Vit D and said I should return with Little when he is 18 months and Big at 3 years.


That was it. My challenge was complete. Lets just keep praying these boys stay healthy and I never have to go there for a sick visit...things may be different.


And for any of you wondering, I have a private OB-GYN...I will not be getting examined in the same room my kids do!