Dear Medical Professional,
You will ask about his medical history,
And I will repeat the story I have told 100 times or more,
The details fine tuned to the essentials I know you need:
He was born full term,
He has a 7 year old brother who is fit and well,
He is allergic to penicillin.
You will ask me what happened,
And I will answer:
He is 6 years old.
He wasn't breathing for 7 minutes.
I gave him mouth to mouth.
I will hand over a careful typed piece of A4 paper.
It will tell you his hospital number,
The things he is allergic to,
A list of medications and doses.
You will take it and smile.
You'll tell me I make your job easier.
I will stand calm,
And in control. You see my demeanour,
my hospital bags packed and ready,
And you say,
You've done this before.
I'll nod and say many times.
But remember this; That 6 year old is my baby.
That boy with the oxygen,
And the wires,
And the tubes,
Is my son.
I watched him turn blue. The first time,
The fifth time,
The hundred and fifty fifth time...
It was still …
You will ask about his medical history,
And I will repeat the story I have told 100 times or more,
The details fine tuned to the essentials I know you need:
He was born full term,
He has a 7 year old brother who is fit and well,
He is allergic to penicillin.
You will ask me what happened,
And I will answer:
He is 6 years old.
He wasn't breathing for 7 minutes.
I gave him mouth to mouth.
I will hand over a careful typed piece of A4 paper.
It will tell you his hospital number,
The things he is allergic to,
A list of medications and doses.
You will take it and smile.
You'll tell me I make your job easier.
I will stand calm,
And in control. You see my demeanour,
my hospital bags packed and ready,
And you say,
You've done this before.
I'll nod and say many times.
But remember this; That 6 year old is my baby.
That boy with the oxygen,
And the wires,
And the tubes,
Is my son.
I watched him turn blue. The first time,
The fifth time,
The hundred and fifty fifth time...
It was still …
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I think Cheeky sounds like a cutie. Yes he probably will grow up a bit faster than his friends and yes he will learn how damn hard life will be at a far too young age. BUT, the experience of having H as a brother, for looking out for him and helping you do things for him will help him to grow into a lovely man who will have so much compassion for others and will no doubt play a part in making him the terrific man he is to become.
ReplyDeleteLots of love.
Zx (@mummyofsam)
Yes I have the same with Angel, who had an idyllic life until the first of her sp needs siblings arrived when she was 4. And she grew up really quickly too - and asked Santa for an incubator for Christmas for her doll (who already had an NG tube thanks to the nurses). Angel is now 19 and her experiences have enriched her life I think and I'm sure they will do the same for Cheeky x
ReplyDeleteThanks Zoe - I think he will become a terrific man, he is already an amazing brother.
ReplyDeleteThanks Blue Sky - how lovely and how sad that she asked for an incubator, but I suppose it is there way of making sense of it all, through play. Fireman Sam and his friends are often having trips to the hospital in our house! Nice to know that Angel's life has been enriched by having special siblings, I do worry so much about Cheeky so it is nice to know when things turn out OK for others further along the line.