Entry 7 - February 6th 2023

I walk into the hospital ready to work. The smell of latex and rubbing alcohol fills my nostrils as I sign in and walk to one of the patient’s rooms. As I walked, I pass patients lined up in the waiting room. Many of them with children who’s crying filled the room. I close my eyes and sigh as I knock on the patient’s door. As soon as I heard confirmation to allow myself in, I open the door and see a fragile little boy in the hospital bed. He looked up at me and smiled as I sat beside him. “I’m getting my flu vaccine today.” The boy said enthusiastically. I smile back and nod as I take out the syringe and wipe a part of his arm with rubbing alcohol. I could practically hear his heartbeat speeding up as I prepared him for the shot. I look up at the boy and whisper “Tell me when.” And without hesitation he yells “When!” and tenses up. I quickly inject him with the vaccine and stand up beside him. “See? Wasn’t so bad, was it?” I say as I look at his proud self sitting straight up in the bed. “You did great. You didn’t even cry like last time. You’re a big boy.” I say encouragingly. His eyes light up and he bounces up and down as he whispers “I am, aren’t I?”.