02 March 2009

Slice of Life: Conjunctivitis

"She's heading for the love seat. Quick, grab the drops!" As this is currently the least favorite part of our family's morning routine, I picked up the small bottle with dread. I already knew what would follow. There would be wrestling, crying, tears. Getting eye drops into our 21 month old daughter's eyes is always a challenge.

My wife made it to the love seat first and started to get our daughter to lay down. My daughter knew what was coming next. Sure enough, the crying began and she began to try to hide her face from me. Then she pulled out a new trick: squeezing her eyes tightly shut.

It was then, amidst the tears and crying, that I think she began to think she had won. A slight grin began to form on her face. It was as if she was thinking, "as long as I keep my eyes shut tight, they won't be able to get the drops in." Well, to her credit, she was right.

Yet, perseverance always pays off and when just the slightest opening was available, I squeezed the bottle of pinkeye medication and got a drop in. One down, one to go. The second eye took two drops, but they were in and she was on the way (hopefully!) to clear eyes and happier days.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've had an inflammation of my cornea for the past month. Just getting drops in my own eye is not too much fun. I cannot imagine having to put it in someone else's eye. SAS

Lynnelle said...

I have a 24 month old and last year we all had pink eye...it was horrible! Hope it heals fast and good luck tomorrow morning! Great story!!

GirlGriot said...

Definitely just as hard as trying to give the pinkeye stuff to my cats! I don't blame anyone for screaming and crying and trying to escape, though. It's so hard to be the medicine-giver, knowing you're doing the good thing, the right thing, the loving and caring thing ... only to have your child (or kitten) struggle against you as if you're a demon!

Hope your daughter's eye clears up soon!