On My Knees

Long corridors, face masks. Hand sanitizers. Lots of hoses, blood tests and beeping machines. All this to the backdrop of kid songs playing loudly. Welcome to Pediatric ICU.

The littlest of my littles has been hospitalized for six weeks. For the first few weeks the diagnosis was unknown, testing was done while awaiting answers as they tried to balance her body levels.

It’s hard to describe the realm of the unknown. Parents sleeping on reclining chairs overnight. Tensions high as surgeries for a pic line and a g-tube are done. Good days with smiles, bad days with fever, and other days you find a grumpy little one who just wants to be held. And it’s a sad day when you finally get up to her room at the end of your busy day to find her sleeping peacefully. Alas no snuggles, just a soft touch with a quiet prayer this night.

But oh, the love of those nurses. When parents are working or off dealing with other littles don’t be surprised if find her in the midst of nurses chatting at their station with her close by in a little stroller so she’s not alone in her room.  I have popped in to find a nurse in training who had spent a good part of her morning playing with this little one until grandma slipped into the room.

The diagnosis finally comes in. A rare genetic disorder. After a month her body is finally stable enough to start treatment. Gratitude fills my heart when her body accepts the medication without an issue. There are whispers that she’ll be released soon. She’ll be farther away from this grandma, but we now have a pretty good bond. She knows my voice and points her finger like a queen at her acceptance of my presence as I enter.

So grateful for quality care. For a land where medication can treat illnesses, and for the gift of family. It’s never easy, but always worth it.

An extra prayer for us as we adjust would be a great blessing for all.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

~Debbie G

#PediatricCare #sickbaby #growingstrongertogether
#FamilyTies

Galatians 6:2