LIVE...FROM BRENNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL...

On my fifth or seventh wind of this day, I want to submit a "blip" to share that once this situation has passed, I will be chocked-full with eloquence and info...


First, if you ever find your child to be in a critical health situation, PLEAD, DEMAND, COERCE, THREATEN...whatever works... to get them into this incredible network of Brenner Hospital, extension of Winston Salem's Baptist Hospital. This commendation comes from a mother who has experienced the limitations of Raleigh options. Not to "dis" the health care resources in our area, but when you need a plumber, do you call a chiropractor?


I am exhausted, resulting in no proofing of this entry, additionally...please forgive.
For the first time since I began medically advocating for my aging parents, not to exclude the bumps and bruises my children suffered in sports,etc....I want to "give a 'shout-out'" to This PLACE...

They have come as close to mastering the whole package of delivering medical expertise to the whole family. We are still in the throes of the unknown, however I am amazed that in all the nurses, techs, doctors, interns, residents, hematologists, endocrinologists, resp. therapists, janitors, food service personnel, other families, urologists, neurologists, and more, I have yet to encounter one who provoked me to challenge their wisdom and integrity. Those of you who know me, understand... ; )


Peace in the midst of terror...This is the highest destiny of the practice of medicine.
Each day represents new fear-producing knowledge, however, God is HERE at work, and palpably so...
The hospital life, no longer a scary thing, I am understanding on a completely new level. Yes, I am terrified, yes, I don't know what I'll do if there is a shift in progress, and yes, I am privately collapsing numerous times a day, and yes, I am exhausted beyond my wildest expectations...BUT:
It is OK...and more than that, because of my "status," (and a bit of exp. in the ent. biz,) I am willing to be a complete FOOL for my Mr. POO...but only because of the unique and significant relationship between us, upon which I would at anytime bet my entire life and worldly possessions.


I leave the Hawthorne Inn, (which BTW discounts their rooms by half for hosp. fams, and provides shuttle to defer driving and parking fees,)and arrive in Little Adam's room. He is coping the best he can, but quite restless and still questioning how he got here, and here comes "Gammy!" Instantly the somber atmosphere is impacted by (much to the chagrin of my preciously-loved daughter,) "HEEEEEEERZ

....GAMMY!
Knowing that my daughter needs solace and respite, I succumb to the passionate desperation within my heart to bring the "love of my life" back to his former state of being among us. And so, I give, give, give energy that I understand may never be replenished, I give from all the love within my heart to my grandson. And it works!!!! Maybe the medical charts still indicate the need for more blood transfusions and more dialysis, (and, today, an MRI,)

TODAY,TODAY...Gammy brought in some enthusiasm of performing that beckoned this little man to respond in kind, and there, in the room with his depleted and spent adoring parents, Little Mr. Poo responded to his Gammy's love with at first a smile, transforming to subdued, but true LAUGHTER! Then as Gammy would gesture and sing her ridiculous (but always rhyming,) silly songs, he was SINGING ALONG~!!!!!!

Yes, they next whisked him from my influencefor his MRI, manageable by Phenol-barbiturates; necessary med, due to the time involved, absence of familiar faces and the hammering noise. BUT...it was after our little exchange that I knew he was able and determined to go the distance.

Yes, it is still scary but I am ready to leave all that I have built, all that I consider familiar, all that I expect, to just be with him thru his trauma, because it is this very darling child who needs such support at this time, without whose dazzling smile there would be no more wonderment...

(In a nut shell...there is noticeable progress/improvement, not necessarily notated on the chart hung outside his door, but progress, nonetheless for one Gammy who knows things still outside the syllabus of Bowman Gray!