Compassionate Care

Jenson is drawing a crowd... a crowd of visitors from all the "friends" he has made at the hospital.  They are coming by to say hi, hold his hand, and tell him they love him.

Each time a "friend" comes in the room, he does his best to open his eyes.  As they talk to him, he will raise his cute little eyebrows when they talk about a memory he likes.

Nurse Charlon visited earlier this morning.  She has the magic gift of touch (as Jenson informed me in December when he wanted Charlon to rub his back instead of me).  She spent her time talking to him, rubbing his head, and loving on him.

Nurse Ginny came to visit around lunchtime.  She loved on Jenson too.  Ginny and I were talking about when we were transferred downtown and how she said, "Jenson should come with an instruction manual".  The manual would include things like - he likes to keep the syringes after he takes his medicine (but only the yummy ones), the syringes go in a bag which he likes to hold, he only likes the purple and red popsicles (the green and orange ones are "yucky"), don't say the word "picture" as code for x-ray (or you will likely get a "no pictures, no cheese" response), he will at some point ask you for M&Ms which he will not eat but will keep next to him in his bed, etc.

So many people love Jenson - Hiba floor care coordinator extraordinaire, Nurse Ryann, Nurse Jen, Nurse Sabra, Nurse Candle, Nurse Sara, Nurse Jackie, Nurse Ginny, Nurse Charlon, Nurse Suji, Sandra - the best room cleaner in the hospital, Play Therapist Kristin, Physical Therapist Erin, Dr Cavalier, Dr Garcia (Infectious Disease), Dr Appel (Oncology - Legacy) -- all people who continue to check in on Jenson not because they have to but because they care.

They have been caring for us too.  BMT Nurse Practioner Tara cried with us as the MRI results were shared.  BMT Nurse Practioner Cara came by just to give hugs.  Hiba gives me my "Hiba Hug" every morning when I arrive and even calls my cell phone to check in on me.  Charlon sat next to me on the hospital room couch one morning while I cried.

I don't know how they do it - how they can watch these kids fight and suffer knowing some will win and some will lose the earthly battle.  One of them told me, "We do it because we love our kids."

Jenson loves them too and wasn't afraid to let them know.  Several of them have told me the highlight of their day would be when Jenson would come around in the red wagon with a big smile and say, "It's my friends!" as he would give out treats and hugs.

Loving people and a lovable little boy.

Kristin