So it is 4:30 in the afternoon and I am saying good night to the Business Manager before heading out the door. All of the sudden my alarm on my phone goes off. It is reminding me I need to be at the hospital in less than an hour through rush hour traffic. I am so glad I put in my calender I almost forgot.
I used to have to work myself up to go into the hospital to keep from losing it. I don't know why because Madelynn is doing well. But today it was easier. So I went the guest services desk to get my ID badge to volunteer. Once a month, the LCK families bring in dinner to share with the parents and other family of children in the CVICU. It gives the parents a few minutes to step away, get something to eat, talk to an adult that is not a nurse or doctor. I think it is a great idea and like to do it.
Well I waited and waited only to eventually discover that is was cancelled this evening and there was a communication error. But the hour I was at the hospital was not a total loss. I was able to talk to some of the nursing staff for just a few minutes. This is just a stellar group of people anyway, never a waste of time.
I waited in a hallway in case someone needed help carrying food (not knowing no one was coming) and I discovered many things.
-I discovered that my daughter is in a picture on the wall leading to the CVICU promoting the LCK kids support group with the help of the Child Life Specialists.
-I discovered that on a LCK Badge hanging on the wall both my daughter and my son wrote their name I could pick it out anywhere.
-I discovered that my friend who realized at Camp LuCK her daughter could write her name could write it long before camp as I saw her daughter's name on the wall with my children. (Yes Roxanne I am talking about your daughter).
Then I saw something that I remember like it was yesterday. I saw a mom and dad walking along side a crib as the child was being moved up from the CVICU (6th floor) to The Progressive Care (8th floor). This was one of the best days in the hospital. It means you are that much closer to taking your child home. You could see huge smiles on the parents faces. It's like your child won their first award.
Before I left the hospital I went up to the 8th floor just to make sure I hadn't missed the event on the wrong floor. Who should I be on the elevator with, the Mom gleaming with pride about her daughter moving to the 8th floor. I tried not to be too nosey but I learned she was 6 months old, born with three different heart defects and was recovering from her third and final surgery. I wished her well and headed back down the elevator.
As I pushed the button to go down I decided to head down to the chapel (on the second floor). I stopped in and wrote in the journal wishing the heart families well. I prayed for the health and well being of my own children and said a special prayer for that very, happy mom. Then I just took a minute to breathe in silence; and I went home.
This evening was not what I thought it would be and I could have gotten upset but mistakes happen and I learned a few things too.
What did you learn today???
TTFN~
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