Graham's Story
Graham's reactions to one or more of the vaccines he received:
We never questioned the subject of vaccines. In fact, if we'd ever heard of
anyone NOT vaccinating, we would have thought they were some kind of
wacko-types. I mean, vaccines are perfectly safe, right? "They" couldn't give
them unless they were, correct?
Our story:
We were in the doctor's office, and he had just completed a well-baby check-up
at 7 months of age. The doctor gave us the thumbs-up to his being in perfect
health (thank goodness for breastfeeding!), and went to see another patient
while his nurse did the vacs.
The nurse proceeded to give Graham his vaccinations of OPV, Hib, HepB, and the
DTP. I picked him up to hold and comfort him (I HATE those tears!!!).
As I was holding him up to my shoulder (burping position) and within 30 seconds
of the last injection (which were given boom, boom, boom, 1-2-3 right after each
other), his cry changed pitch, dropping to nothing. He lost consciousness and
went totally limp. His colour turned from pink to white to blue-grey. His
breathing lessened.
The nurse yelled "We've got a reaction in here!!" and the doctor came running. I
put Graham down on the exam table so they could help him. They started oxygen on
him and gave him a shot of something as his blood pressure was dropping fast to
a very dangerous level. Another shot of something, and he began to move a
little, but still unconscious.
To make a long story (and a loooooooooong visit, over 3 hours) short, he finally
rallied and regained consciousness. He nursed, but fitfully, and his colour
returned, though he was pale the rest of the day. They decided it was "safe" for
us to leave the office, but warned, or rather, "suggested" we stay in town for
several more hours before returning home (90 miles away). They told us to go
straight to the ER if ANYTHING seemed odd in Graham's behavior, and to keep a
close eye on him for the next few days (duh, what do they think I'm going to do,
ignore him after that happened?).
I am happy to report that Graham made a complete recovery, with no lasting
effects (that we know of). He is healthy, and has not been sick once (an amazing
feat in itself!!). Having researched this subject, I am heartbroken at the
stories of those affected by vaccines that do NOT have the happy ending we have
to tell about.
We decided to hold off on anymore vaccinations until we learned a little bit
about them. A "little bit" turned into a LOT of research!!
This kind of reaction was probably due to the Pertussis component in the DTP,
from what we've been able to find in our exhaustive research.
We were amazed to learn, as well, that reactions CAN and DO occur after the same
vaccines have been received previously with no problems. The body has learned
that the vaccine is a foreign and dangerous invader from previous injections,
and now will fight it, causing anaphylactic shock (which is what happened to
Graham). Each subsequent encounter with the allergin will result in worse
reactions (in Graham's case, this would probably result in death).
When I requested copies of Graham's medical records for us to keep at home, we
were shocked to see (or rather, NOT see) no mention of his reaction and
treatment listed anywhere in his records for that visit or anywhere else. His
vaccination record was missing lot numbers and manufacturer's names for several
vaccines administered previously. I was never asked to sign any informed consent
papers (which is illegal), nor was I told of any of the dangers of vaccines.
Our physician had violated the law, which shocked the hell out of us. We had no
idea.
He NEVER gave us VIS (Vaccine Information Sheets). This is a federally-mandated
law, and he broke it.
He NEVER asked us to sign an informed consent form. The law.
He neglected to list several vaccine lot numbers and manufacturer's names.
Again, there's those pesky laws.
He made NO mention of our son's life-threatening vaccine reaction in our son's
medical records. When I brought this "oversight" to his attention, he actually
asked me what I wanted him to say!! When I told him, he wrote it down, and sent
me a copy of the altered medical record (you can see that it was altered with a
post-it not attached over the original record). Fortunately, I have a copy of
the "before" record, to see how he changed it.
After our son's reaction, he still pushed other vaccines on us (which, of
course, we refused).
He lied to us when we asked him about mercury in vaccines (said his practice did
not use them, but when I later contacted the manufacturer with the lot numbers,
they confirmed those DID contain it).
Obviously, we no longer use this physician.
While "shopping" for a new physician (contacting 7 different practices), I was
turned down by all that I contacted when the subject of vaccinations came up. I
explained we don't vaccinate, and the MEDICAL reasons why. Three practices DID
agree to take him on as a patient, but ONLY if we agreed to vaccinate, and that
they would be prepared for a reaction!! Yeah, right...
So, our son is currently without a physician. Happily, he has never been ill
with anything more serious than a 24-hour tummy upset.
You may think, "Gee, how naive and stupid of this woman, NOT to sign anything
or learning about these things!" and you'd be partially correct. We SHOULD have
asked, but, at the same time, the doctor SHOULD have told us about all of these
things.
A couple of pieces of advice:
If you choose to vaccinate. just do ONE vaccine at a time! There is absolutely
no MEDICAL reason for multiple vaccinations per visit. It is simply done for
convenience sake. IF your child does have a reaction (hopefully, a very minor
one), you'll know which one caused it, and to be on your guard the next time.
Vaccines CAN be split (M, M, R instead of MMR), don't just go along with any
doctor that says otherwise.
GET COPIES OF EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR CHILD'S MEDICAL RECORDS!!!!!!!!! AND,
NEVER BE PRESSURED INTO VACCINATING! It can always wait until you are
comfortable with whatever decision you make.
Leslie
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.