(no subject)
It does not get any easier, seeing little kids lose the fight and die.
Kids have to endure more than adults when it comes to life-threatening situations. First of all, they do not get to make their own decisions as to how far they will go in the battle to live. Add in the ethical dilemmas for parents and doctors, who know the kid will go through hell, but has a small but significant chance of living. Insurance. Research. Religion. Pain. Pain management. Long hospitalizations. School? Siblings? Birthdays?
A little princess I cared for died last month. Another one is on quite the roller coaster as she waits for an organ. Playing one day, sick and tired the next. She could either start kindergarten this year, or...not.
And every break room at my hospital has a bulletin board scattered w/ obits of kids I didn't know but the stories are too familiar.
I forget that most kids are healthy and most families are intact. I gotta get out more.
Here's hoping for an ironic April Fool's Day buzzing of the transplant pager.
Kids have to endure more than adults when it comes to life-threatening situations. First of all, they do not get to make their own decisions as to how far they will go in the battle to live. Add in the ethical dilemmas for parents and doctors, who know the kid will go through hell, but has a small but significant chance of living. Insurance. Research. Religion. Pain. Pain management. Long hospitalizations. School? Siblings? Birthdays?
A little princess I cared for died last month. Another one is on quite the roller coaster as she waits for an organ. Playing one day, sick and tired the next. She could either start kindergarten this year, or...not.
And every break room at my hospital has a bulletin board scattered w/ obits of kids I didn't know but the stories are too familiar.
I forget that most kids are healthy and most families are intact. I gotta get out more.
Here's hoping for an ironic April Fool's Day buzzing of the transplant pager.