I was hesitant to bring Tyler up. Tyler can be unpredictable (since he's 4) when put in an uncomfortable situation, and we weren't sure how he would do seeing his friend Jason, with tubes and stuff coming out of him, in a hospital bed.
We arrived at the hospital, and luckily, Tyler had asked 100 questions before we got there, so I had prepared him as much as I could. Actually, I was probably more nervous that he was. I wouldn't admit it to anyone, but I get uncomfortable visiting people in hospitals too - I never want to seem like I'm lurking or just hanging around out of guilt, and often don't know what to say. "How are you?", seems so shallow.
We walked through the pediatric inpatient ward in the Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa. These are some of the sickest kids in the state. As we walked by each room, you could see the kids in there in their beds, and cribs, and a strange feeling of guilt and relief washed over me constantly. Thank God my children aren't here, but you could just see the exasperation on the faces of the parents.
We had to go through a special double-door in order to get into Jason's room, since they keep the bone marrow recipients secluded (due to a low white blood cell count), and then we entered Jason's room.
Jason hasn't taken too kindly to visitors, because they are usually adults anyway, and let's face it - adults are boring to a 4 year old. All other adults that have come to see him have been nurses, doctors and residents. He was so depressed a couple of weeks ago, he wasn't even talking to his parents and had stopped communicating with anyone. A Child Psychiatrist has been working with him, and they have been making some progress. Although time doesn't make sense to a 4 year old, I can imagine almost a month in the hospital seems like an eternity - and his parents know he will be there until May or June.
Jason talked to Tyler and Chase, a little. He was a bit hesitant, but he's always been a shy boy. He actually suggested going to the big "toy room" they have on the wing, because he wanted to show Tyler some toys.
We spent probably about an hour in the toy room. Jason's parents were thrilled! I think they've only got him out of his room a couple of times, but Tyler and Chase were successful. I tell - if there are two boys that can motivate you, Tyler and Chase are it! There is more energy in those two boys than 10 kids all together!
The only question Tyler asked was "Why can't Jason come home?". I tried to answer that - as honestly as possible. I think Tyler understood. I also think Tyler thought the John Deere tricycle that Jason got to ride to the toy room was very cool! He wanted to ride it too - but didn't understand it was for kids in the hospital to play with, and Jason had to ride it because he can't walk more than a couple of feet right now. Jason peddled as fast as he could, and his parents tried to keep up with the IV cart in tow.
We're going to be paying a lot more visits to Jason, because I saw some sparkle in his eyes today. And to see his parents just light up with joy when Jason would laugh or giggle, was priceless.
Keep Jason in your prayers. He has a long way to go, but we hope to have him home this summer so he and Tyler can spend some more time in the pool and the sandbox!
Jason, playing with his Sponge Bob Play-Doh - his favorite toy. (Downloaded from CaringBridge.org)
1 comment:
That's so sad and happy all at the same time. I'm glad he had fun with the kids. That's gotta be hard to not only see your child sick but to see him depressed at such a young age.
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