Fainting When His Sister Gets Her Shots

Fainting was Tanner's thing when he was a little kid. The 1st time he ever fainted was when Natalie was so tiny and had to get blood drawn out of her heel. Dr. Blossom wrapped her heel in a warm diaper and then drew blood. She cried and Tanner fell flat on the floor at the sight of her blood.

Tanner was my tender hearted, little man. He would always faint if he got a shot, but he also fainted when his little sister did. When Natalie went in for the dreaded 5 year old checkup (dreaded because they give so many immunizations) I had Tanner play in the waiting room. Before we even saw Dr. Ben, the receptionist came back and told us Tanner had toppled over right there on the Lego table. So once again, we had to take care of T Man before we could continue with Natalie.

At 11 years old, Tanner fell 80 feet off a cliff. Long story! He crushed 4 vertibrae and had a nasty burn on his back, as well as a few other minor injuries. During his week long stay in the hospital, he had to endure a multitude of needles and other painful procedures. I was so worried about my son, with all his fears, as well as his painful injuries it was a difficult time.

Julie, a friend, gave Tanner a plaque that had the verse from Isaiah 40 on it. 'Young men may stumble and fall, l but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint. Well, I don't always take the Bible so literally, but Tanner never fainted again after that. Incredibly, my son who fainted in 2nd grade health class has never fainted again. Amazing!

All of us have fears. Tanner's fear was needles and shots. For some it is anything medical. God is here to comfort us and see us through whatever makes us uncomfortable or upset in life. He is here to wrap us in His loving arms. Our part is to have faith and believe that God is just and all is in His control.

Tanner is 23 now and has endured other needles since and life's other bumps and bruises, without fainting even one more time. Incredible!

In Him,
Joyful
3-5-2010