Turn Up and Be There.

During the long weeks that Caden Beggan was in hospital, I spent many days there too. That first visit was tough, but less awkward than I’d feared. Conversation flowed as we discussed the doctors’ plans, Caden’s progress, the family’s resilience or otherwise. As I left I hugged people and told them that, if they didn’t mind, I’d like to come back next week? “Please do…” they replied and I smiled back at them, grateful for the welcoming invite. As the weeks went on, I visited more frequently; every couple of days towards the end. There were hours when we all sat together, when some of us broke away, or chased each other out of the door – “Go take a shower, we’ll call you if anything changes, we promise.” There were times when Caden’s immediate family were gone, deep in discussion with surgeons, horse trading and negotiating over inches of lost and gained tissue, debating whether to cut or to wait. During those times we sat in the waiting room, or the cafe, drinking crap coffee and too many cakes. And we chatted. About anything. Our jobs, our families, our day yesterday and plans for the next week. We got to know each other, be we friends, colleagues, siblings from over seas or parents. We fused together into a tight little gang, “the hospital crowd”, as we came to be known. There were days where there was stuff to be done. Lifts to be given, food to be prepared, child...
Source: Trauma Queen - Category: Ambulance Crew Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: blogs