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| My friend for over 30 yrs.(nurse) and Meg |
As a hairdresser for 25 years I was often asked how I
could put my hands in someone’s dirty hair. My usual
response was that I loved being a hairdresser. Sure,
the backaches, spider veins, carpal tunnel, and trying
to get paid were some downsides of working in my own
salon. However the great side of doing my job outweighed
the negative. I made great friends, the majority of people
were generous to me and my daughter. Most of all I loved
the creative part of my trade and enjoyed my flexibility to
always be there for Meghann.
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| Meg another donation to Locks of Love |
Meghann was diagnosed with cerebral palsy
around 11 month old. Over the years, Meghann
had many overnight stays in the hospital. I
spent a lot of time in the presence of nurses.
I even have friends who are nurses.
During Meghann’s last stay in the hospital I
had plenty of time to chat with the nurses.
I found myself asking the same questions to
the nurses that was asked of me all the time.
How can you care for people all day and watch people suffer every day?
The response was similar to my answer.
“We love what we do.”
Some of them went into nursing because there were other nurses in the family
or they lost a loved one through an illness. These answers made all the nurses
that I had the pleasure to meet exceptional at their job.
My admiration for nurses has grown over
the year especially during Meghann’s last
days on earth. Unfortunately I had to gain
that increased respect for nurses through
many overnight hospital stays when Meghann
was ill. Meghann spent five weeks in the
hospital before she passed away. Dan and I
rarely left her side through it all. Meghann
didn’t say much during those five weeks.
We didn’t need words. All she wanted from
me was to hold her hand.
So every day I held her hand.
The nurses who came into Meghann’s room
were respectful of Meghann’s need to have
\me hold her hand and be close to her. They
worked around us. Some even moved her
bed so they could work on the opposite side
' I was on. They rearranged the room and did
whatever possible to make Meghann comfortable.
I kept a close eye on the nurses during this time.
Not because I didn’t trust them. Meghann was
my baby. She was my only child. Along with IV
bags and machines I had become a fixture for
five weeks. I talked to them about Meghann’s
medication, the numbers on the monitors,
the x-ray results, tests and care during those
weeks.
Most importantly, I told everyone about
Meghann as a person. I showed the
nurses and doctors pictures of Meghann.
I shared with them her long love affair
with Curious George, her joy of puzzles,
Wheel of Fortune, and coloring. I told
them how her room was filled with
countless Mickey and Minnie mouse
stuffed animals, jewelry, coloring books,
wall hangings, clothes,UNO, and puzzles.
I told them how much she was loved
by her family. They listened to me with
loving care.
When a loved one is in the hospital there are doctors,
residents, specialists, and students wandering in and
out of a room all day. In my opinion it is the nurses that
make the difference. They are the ones who are there
listening to patients and families. They are the people
who administered medicine, start IV’s, clean up rooms,
show up every day wanting our loved ones to be well
enough to go home.
After Meghann passed away it was the
nursing staff, personal care givers, and
cleaning crew that cried, hugged us
and extended their sympathy
to us as we made our way down the
long ICU hallway to go home without
Meghann.
I want to take this time to thank all the nurses that have cared for my Meghann
over the years. I appreciate the long, difficult, and dedicated hours that you
do each day you go to work. Please know that your patients and families may
not always get the outcome that they hoped for but your compassion, caring,
and knowledge of your job is appreciated. My family and I want to thank all of
the nurse at OSF in Peoria for the wonderful care they showed Meghann. We
will be forever grateful to all of you. Thank you for taking the time to attend
Meghann’s Celebration of Life and generous memorial. All of you will be
remembered forever!!
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ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP
for parents/caregivers of special needs children and adults.
JOIN US
FEBRUARY 5, 2019
Join other special needs parents, guardians and caregivers online every month as we come together
to share our concerns, experiences, knowledge and joys with one another.
Regardless how old your special needs loved may be, there will be something for you in this support group.
If you are a seasoned parent/guardian/caregiver then consider paying it forward with your expertise. Wouldn't it be rewarding to pass on the power of knowledge to each other?
Join special needs parents, guardian and caregivers online every month
Where: Free safe online meeting place
When: The first Tuesday of every month February 5, 2019
Time: 8 P.M. central- 9 p.m. eastern
Why: To lend support to one another through sharing similar struggles, experiences and offering suggestions on solutions.
For more information contact:
Jill
815-866-3776
http://parentingcelebratingsmallsteps.blogspot.com/
https://zoom.us/
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