June 27, 2004

• I am soo glad that we're starting a new week.  Last week was crazy, hard, sad, and simply insane.  A son (18 mos old) of one of my best friends was in the hospital for a week, was released on Thursday, for some GI problems.  He's had them since birth but no one really took the time to figure the problem out.  Turns out that he has Hirschsprung's disease and will be undergoing surgery in the next week or so to remove part of his intestines.  I pray that he will finally be cured of this probelm and get back to being a fun and happy kiddo.

  
  

  Then, on Wednesday, I went in to see my first patient of the day.  An adorable 4 1/2 year old boy who just charmed me.  He'd been having some joint/muscle pain for about 6 months, wasn't eating too much, bruised and bled easily and just wanted to sleep most of the time.  Turns out he has leukemia.  I've always thought that I want to work in pediatrics when I graduate, but this pretty much clinched the deal.  He had been seen 6 months ago for the same problem, his mom was told it was growing pains and told to give him Motrin.  Thank God that this delay in diagnosis didn't make a huge difference. 

  
  

  He has the best type of leukemia that you can have...and I don't mean to sound flippant at all.  Because he was originally my patient, my preceptor and the docs had me with the mom and the little boy until he was transferred to the hospital.  Being with the mother when she was told was the single worst moment of my life...and I just can't imagine what it felt like to be in her shoes.  If you could, please pray for his quick recovery and for peace for the family.  I think about and pray for this child all the time.

  
  

  Well, I've probably depressed you now.  But, this is where I have to come and get it all out.  Hug your kids, nephews, loved ones today, ok?

  • 2:20 pm
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