Love Abounds

It's been so long since I've been here, in this space. Both mentally and physically. It's been 7 and a half years actually. Sitting in a hospital room, participating in rounds, making friends with everyone I can... lol. I know that's super surprising that I sit here in the ICU cracking jokes and laughing as often as I can, making friends with everyone... so uncharacteristic... but you know what? It's really worked out for me in the end.

I can't stop thinking about the parents who yell at the doctors and nurses. The ones who blame them when things go wrong. Last night I over heard a parent complaining about having to potentially go home on a medication. Complaining about how the doctors don't know what they are doing, they try this they try that and nothing is working... he was going to write a letter. TO WHOM? No really... Who are you writing the letter to? The doctor who is taking care of your child? Their team? The Attending Doctor who was at rounds this morning, in charge of the plans that are being put into action by the rest of the team on the unit? And what is your letter going to say? "Why don't you know what you're doing?"

???

I guess my point is this: Are you actually accomplishing more this way? Or anything at all?  I don't think you are. That's just one example of the type of parent I've been exposed to in my life as a cardiac mom. And I think that I've seen enough to have a bit of advice and I wanted to share my approach to the world.

Love always conquers all... right?! I believe it does. I believe it because I witness it every single day. I can count on one hand the amount of doctors and nurses that I have not cliqued with this trip... ONE HAND! And you know, it's not because they are bad at their job, we just didn't clique. But the amount of people who I have loved and even become friends with is overwhelming! Almost every attending, fellow, and nurse that has taken care of my child has a place in my heart forever.  I literally would hang out with them. That relationship started with me though. I welcomed them into my heart. I thanked them for working on my child. I made them laugh in the most serious of times and I was understanding when they were doing what they needed to do to find answers. That trust in them turned into them trusting me and they include me and my ideas at their morning meetings about my son's care. They hear me, they correct me, they ask me my opinion. They respect me as I do them.

And then...

When we got the news of Dominics neurological condition, I was showered with love from the entire unit! Hugging me in the hallway, checking in on me during their breaks, crying with me! I've had fellow's come by during rotations on other floors to check on us, surgery physician's assistants come by after their shift all because they like us! They have invested in us and they put everything they have into our care because.. well isn't it obvious? You treat your friends better than your enemies... right?

I had an incredibly precious moment where I got to finally hold Dominic in my lap for the first time since surgery. I looked at him as if he were a new born baby. You know that --> I can't stop looking at this baby because I'm afraid I'm going to miss something look? It was just like that! I was grinning from ear to ear and my heart was whole. During those moments, my nurse took pictures on her work phone (with permission) and sent them to everyone on the unit. Once again... doctors, nurses, assistants... they all poured in to congratulate us and cry happy tears with us and hug us. They even went out of their way to wash his hair with real soap and water while he was in his mama's arms. It was the most magical moment and they all wanted to be a part of it. It was so special.

The moral of my story, and I've said it before... be kind. If you have questions, ask them with love and not accusation. If you're worried, express that but again, without accusation because it's very rare that you find someone who is excited to see someone hurting, especially when they go into a career to help people. They are really trying their hardest for you. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to be worried... just don't point it at people who don't deserve it. Be loving and kind.

Because love abounds

Love to you all

Whitney

Live it like a Movie...

I know it's been a little while since my last post... but things have been CRAZY here! Even though Dominic is in therapy almost 5 hours a day, I some how am crazy busy all the time! When Dude is around, there's lots of trips to the bathroom, because he can tell me now when he has to go. And, when he's gone, I'm cleaning up everything that doesn't get cleaned when he's here, making myself eat when I can, showering when I can... 

10/14/2011 Crashing into things :)

Some GREAT news here... Remember when we got transfered to Legacy Emanuel?? Dominic couldn't do anything for himself... infact, he didn't even want to get out of bed for the most part! 

Now, he's not only moving his right side... A LOT, but,

 he's able to hold himself in a sitting position...

 he's using his right arm to help him sit up... 

he's opening both hands... 

he's holding a pencil with his left hand... 

he can feed himself...

AND...

HE'S WALKING!

being silly

Okay well, when he walks, he looks a little bit like Weekend at Burnies, but he's walking on his own! He also gets a little bit tired as he walks... but he's walking ten's hundred's of feet at a time! I'm so proud of him! 

It's so crazy to think of how I felt that day when we found out that he had had a stroke. I was scared and I didn't know what to think, or what to expect. Anyone who has ever met Dude... knows him for his charming personality. If he couldn't get that back.. what would he be like? On top of that, sports are his life! He had been looking forward to this surgery so that he could actually keep up with the other kids... and this is what happens. 

Occupational Therapy with Alaina

... and Toren

Funny thing though, during surgery, Dr. Armsby came out and was chatting with us just about him and life... She had mentioned just how strong she believed Dominic to be. She had said that there was only so much she could do and so much she was doing.. Dominic had always met her more than half way. His will has kept him with us more than any medical procedure ever could. 

(: Portland :)

Music Therapy: Dominic Playing the Guitar

I think that this trip has shown that her belief is more than true. Dominic is not only my love, but my strength, my courage, my fighter, my everything. I have to say, I come from a long line of people who don't like to be told what to do. I also come from a longer line of people who are willing to work hard for what they want and what they believe in and it has all come to a head with him. He is the epitome of all of the above. He is only 5 and has told the doctors, No! I am going to make it through all of this... And he has worked harder than all of us combined. It makes me so incredibly proud. (As I've said a million times before hehe)

Have any of you been thinking about the lantern idea?? Because, you might want to start thinking about getting those lanterns in your possession. I have this hunch that something big might happen soon :)

I hope you all are having an amazing day like we are!
And sorry the video is sideways :)