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Hospital stories
When Krista was born she had a heart problem. It didn't beat all the time (well just slowly sometimes). When she was 7 years old she went to the doctor. The Doctor said, "Gee Krista, your heart has slowed down." Anyway then he said, "How about a PACEMAKER?" Well Krista said, NO WAY JOSE!!!!!! Then her Dad said "Come on, little guy, don't be a wimpy kid. And if you have the operation, I'll get you a new dog." Her Dad was right. Her new dog is named Maple. Krista really loves her. Krista walks the dog every day. Krista feeds her dog every day. Now it's time for Krista's pacemaker. Krista told the doctor "Go for it, pal, I've got my dog now." We came on the elevator to Division 35. It was weird to walk into Division 35 for the first time because I hardly remember anything before the surgery. I was worried. Just going through it worried me. I was a little worried that I might die. My parents were a little worried, too. So this time I went into my surgery and I was a little scared. I was scared about what they might do. I was worried that they would do something that they weren't supposed to do. I worried that I'd wake up and my chest would be broke open and I'd see it. The first day I arrived at the hospital was a very busy day. First, my mom, dad and I went to the Admissions Office to let them know I was there. They were very happy to see me. Mom and Dad took care of some hospital business, and I got a special bracelet to wear with my name on it. To keep me company, I brought along Lamby, my stuffed animal friend since the day I was born. Lamby even got to wear a hospital bracelet of her very own too, although she preferred to wear it as a necklace. That night my nurse showed me her little doll made of muslin. The doll was very plain and it looked homemade. She talked about my operation and showed me where my incision would be on the doll’s chest using a marker. She told me that I would have IVs and tubes for a little while. She drew those too. I really did not want to think about that doll. So my mom and I took a walk up and down the hallway instead. I was disappointed to find the playroom closed. The hospital seemed very different at night. The lights were dim like nightlights and it was very quiet. Sometimes you could hear the nurses talking in whispers. When we got back to my room, my mom wanted to talk about the doll again. She told me that to fix the boo-boo in my heart, the doctors would have to make an incision, a boo-boo on the outside of my chest so they could reach my heart. Then that boo-boo on my chest would heal and get better too. A special heart-lung machine would help my heart do its job when it was being fixed. The IVs and tubes were there to help my body heal after surgery. After a few days, I wouldn’t need them any more. I sat in my mom’s lap for a while as she held the doll. I felt bad for the little doll. I don’t think she liked those marks on her. I wrapped her in a blanket so she would feel better. My mom thought we should get some sleep, but I really don’t think she was tired either. She kissed me goodnight and tucked me in bed. I woke up in the middle of the night and climbed over to my Mom who was finally asleep. In the morning I was curled all around her when we both opened our eyes. The morning nurse looked surprised to see me there, but my Mom just smiled and gave me a hug. This boo-boo would get better too The next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery room. My heart operation was over. A nurse was by my bedside asking me if I would like some ice chips. I dosed off again and woke up in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. I was lying on my back and it was difficult to move around. What happened the next couple of days was hard to remember, but my mom and dad later helped me put the pieces together. Little by little I noticed more things around me. Many doctors and nurses were moving about. I heard voices and the beeping sound of the heart monitor. I remember being really glad to see my mom and dad by my bed, although they could only stay a short time so I could rest. My mom and dad waited in the Parents Room while I slept. My mom told me later that she liked being with the other parents. She said that it was good to talk to other moms and dads who had children with heart problems, and that the other parents helped her feel lucky rather than feeling sorry. Back in my hospital room, I was feeling tired. I didn’t even want to go to the playroom. The nurses said that I might be a little cranky. My body needed more time and rest to feel better. It was important to stay in the hospital until my heart was much stronger. The nurses gave me medicine when I felt pain. It was really hard to turn over in bed. I had to have help getting in and out of bed too. The incision on my chest was slowly healing. When I first saw it, it surprised and frightened me. My mom quickly reminded me that this boo-boo would get better too. Each day I was in the hospital I felt better and better. I enjoyed going to the playroom again. It was fun playing with the other children. I also liked picking out my meals and visiting the snack kitchen. It was even open at night. I loved getting ice cups and juice whenever I wanted. Before I could leave the cardiac floor, I played games and watched TV in bed. The special shows with singers and puppets, being performed in the entertainment area of the hospital, were on TV for all the children who had to stay in bed. When I was stronger, I got to see the shows in person. I traveled around the hospital in a wheelchair. The hospital had a lot of fun things to see, especially in the big lobby and gift shop. I met a lot of new friends during my hospital stay. Some were the children and their families, others were all the nurses and doctors. I would always remember how kind the nurses and doctors were and how much they helped me. Before I left the hospital, I asked my mom if my heart was as good as new. She told me it was better than new ………..and it was! I have to get better so I can go home I have a new heart now. It goes blumb, blumb, blumb, blumb. I used to go wish, swish, swish, swish. My blood goes round and round and round in big circles. It didn't do that before. I have to get better before I can go home. That means that I have to get better so much so that I can go home. Mom likes it pretty good to be in the hospital. She liked it pretty good when she had Mark and when she had me. I didn't like it then I cried and cried because I couldn't tell her why I didn't like being in the hospital. But now I can tell her. I tell her that I want to go home.
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