Dear Diary...

July 8th, 2010

The Diary Of A Visit To The Pediatric Infusion Center

Have you ever had a really bad day?  A really bad one? Believe me I thought I have had plenty of bad days.  Our family has been through the wringer in the past year with many things completely out of our control. I have been on my knees asking God, “Why?”. After today, I say, “Thank you Lord.” For our bad days have now been put into perspective.

No bad day compares to what we saw. A parent taking a child no more than two years old out of his stroller to receive chemo. As soon as the child entered the room, his screams began, even at the age of two he knew what was in store for him today.  The father gently held his son’s arm so that they nurse could administer his IV to begin his treatment. My heart ached, I cry when my child receives her immunizations, what strength he has. 

I looked around the room, a girl about 4 is sitting on a bed with her mother by her side. They had been there for hours, the girl was getting restless, the mother worn and tired, but still smiling. Two teens hooked up to his treatment in a chair with a portable DVD players playing their movie. IV alarms beeping, babies cries, parents hoping and praying their child’s health will return. We hope and pray it does too.

A wonderful nurse guides us through to center, telling us about the treatments administered in the infusion center, and the types of patients they see, no names or specifics, all confidential, just a general overview. It was enough to see that they must be special people, with a calling from God to do what they do. They care for the sickest with love, care, and joy.  The nurses smiles would bring a smile to anyone's face but I am sure when a patient doesn’t do well, they carry that as well. 

We met several of these nurses, all of whom, told Madison how much the cases meant to the children!  When we went there was but one left. So we filled the basket with July’s batch, and the nurses poured through, looking at the different patterns, and colors. They were excited for the patients who were going to receive them.

After meeting with the infusion center we went to the main UCDMC hospital to meet with a recipient of one of our cases.  She is there on a multi day chemo, and there on her bed was the case she received.  Her mother lively and vibrant, really a testament to faith, gave us a tour of the pediatric floor. They have two playrooms, one for children and one for teens. They are really set up to try to make everyone comfortable, they even have a teacher that comes in to keep the kids on track with school.  A nurse on that floor had seen and heard of our pillowcases.  She thanked Madison and told her how much they meant to the patients again. We talked a while then said our goodbyes.

We left much richer with knowledge, faith, and true gratitude. Life can be tough, but we are healthy, our children are healthy.  We can make a difference for others, if we try hard enough.  You can make a difference too!  We can fight cancer in more ways than one.  Join us in our fight. By making the cases we can bring cheer, which studies have shown can improve health. This is what we can do, and this is what we will do. All Praise be to God.

"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7