Cooties

When my son Colter was six years old, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease. I will never forget the day he was about to receive his first blood transfusion. We were all there in the room: three residents, a nurse, myself and Colter. Everything had been prepared, and the procedure was just about to begin when Colter suddenly shrieked: WAIT A MINUTE!!! STOP!! STOP RIGHT NOW!!! The doctors were taken aback: What had happened to this patient? What should they do to get him under control? The nurse asked, "What's the matter Colter?" To which Colter replied, with fear and trepidation, "Is this GIRL blood or BOY blood?" At this, the doctors were truly at a loss for words. But the nurse replied, without missing a beat, "Well, of course it's BOY blood, Colter! We wouldn't give you girl blood. That has COOTIES!!"

Satisfied with her response, Colter settled down and underwent his first transfusion.

He is now completely recovered, but I will never forget that day and the quick thinking of that nurse.

Pam Dziurgot, Owner, Shoreline Hair Studio
Branford, Conn.