I have just spent 3 days in the hospital with our tiny little fighter, Jessica ... she underwent her heart operation and all is well. It was tough, says the cardiac surgeon, but I'm happy with the outcome. Phew!! Sigh.
Ah, to experience both sides is inspiriting. I was her nurse, and yet, so much more .... we slept side by side (or should I say, she slept, I tried) .... I fed her every few hours via the nasogastric tube, bathed her, changed her, readjusted her drip and flushed through her IV antibiotics (shhh! don't tell the real nurses), gave her paracetamol when she was in pain, sang to her, played with her, rocked her. I had intended to catch up on some paperwork....hah! I didn't even manage to catch up on sleep!!
This is truly a life saved .... she arrived on our doorstep, malnourished, weak and certainly dying; at 9 months old and just 3.6 kgs; her parents, young and scared and unable to cope, handed her over to us. What must that feel like; to have to let go of your little girl simply because you don't have the support or finance to save her, to give her what she needs.
Jessica really did defy the odds.....and she now has the opportunity to grow into a big girl! And to be loved on by a very special family.
Wow, how I love my 'job' ..... I could weep.....
Gentle Hands ...... I'm so proud to be a part of you. Charity, I thank you!
