Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Amish kids get sick too!

Weird thought that came to me when I left the hospital yesterday afternoon and saw an Amish couple coming in. They were obviously there to see their sick child. Amish people tend to stick out in general, but I don't know why it surprised me to see them at the childrens hospital. Of course Amish kids get sick too and where else would their parents take them? 

I was just leaving to pick some clothes up for Sydnerella. Her nurse told me she could have her clothes back yesterday after I had made the 25 minute drive to the hospital with clean undies, tooth brush, face wash (that they later took away), and some new socks. The kids in that unit aren't allowed their own clothes for the first 24 hours. And when they are allowed their own things, they are checked thoroughly. No cell phones, no iPods, no razors, no belts, no hand sanitizer, no mouth wash. I stayed long enough to play some cards - crazy eights with 55 cards made up of two decks, take a walk with her to the cafeteria for some fries, and talk to the psychiatrist that will be dealing with Sydneralla. It was about a three hour round-trip. It's a big city. It was rush hour. And I had to stop for a bite to eat. Alone. I'm waging war against my city and every damn parking company, so parking costs haven't been an issue. Sleeping and eating have been. I am lucky, though, to live at least this close the childrens hospital and not in a small town three hours away, to own a vehicle and afford the gas and all the eating out. And I'm also very lucky that I wasn't leaving the hospital after a final good bye. The childrens hospital is a sad place. Kids from all walks of life. With a million different stories. Some will never go home. I would have never imagined in the last 13 years that I have been a parent, that one day, I'd be checking my child into the psych ward. Or what's printed on the doors in the basement hallway - Mental Health Unit.

9 comments:

  1. There is a special place in Heaven for people who work in Childrens' Hospitals - I firmly believe that.

    I'm sorry you're dealing with the mental health unit - I hope everything turns out okay.

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  2. So sorry both of y'all are having to go through this. Thoughts of hugs and positive thoughts just got sent that way. Did you get them yet?

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  3. Awww Stacy...I knew this about Syd already but it's so very heartbreaking. I know I already asked, but please tell her the TX Easter Bunny is thinking about her and that she needs to "just keep swimming" and when she gets tired, no matter how tired, to just keep fighting. Even if she can't fight for herself, please beg her to fight for you and for those of us that love her. No matter how hard it is for you, leaving her there each day, you know it's the right thing, the only thing, the only way she can get through this, no matter what, you have to do it. I can't imagine the strength it takes you each time to walk out the door without her. You've had a hell of a time lately and I know this and this may just very well feel like the straw that could push you over, but you can't go overboard just yet. After she's better, after she's home, then you can break down and let it hit you, but right now, hang tough chicka and know that no matter what, I've got your back and I'm here for you and I'm always, fucking ALWAYS thinking about you and Syd and what y'all are going through. I love you so much and knowing y'all for the last 10 plus years has been a huge blessing in my life. Thank you!

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  4. P.S. when I see you in July, we are gonna get drunk and share a bed again...think of THAT when you get sad :)

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  5. *huggles* No comment, dear...

    ~shoes~

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  6. I don't know if I missed something in my absence from blogging or if this is the first you have spoken of this, but I am so sorry you and Syd are going through this. I won't pretend to understand, just know that you both are in my prayers.

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  7. Sometimes there just seem to be no words, or they seem to trite....

    But my heart hurts for you and your daughter.

    You and your daughter will be in my thoughts and prayers...

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  8. I'm so sorry you're going through this! I wish there was more I could do than just pray for you!

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  9. Wow I am so sorry. I hope she gets better soon!

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