It's OUT!

Mimi was so excited to go into the Operating room, I took a picture of her because it was funny to see a kid so excited. At one point a nurse asked me if she will need anything to keep calm, she looked at her and said "Never mind..." We borrowed Dziadziu's IPad to play with and she got spoiled not with one but two Child Life specialists! It was so great to have them there, Betsy has been with us for a big chunk of this journey it was so nice to have her at the De-PORT-ation. Mimi went in smiling at about 11am and around noon I was called in to post-op to wait for her to wake up. She woke up a bit groggy and with a rash, a reaction to either tape or cleaner they used in the OR but it seemed to clear up. Once she was able to drink and sit up off we went to meet her sisters and daddy who brought what she asked for: munchkins and Big Giant Marshmallows. We asked her if it is weird having the port out an she said no.

Later that night Mimi left a letter to the Port Fairy who also left her a note and a treat for all the girls. Apparently the Fairy got spooked by our dog and since she was flying with the tooth fairy that night anyway she left the treats on the bathroom window where Mimi found them. The girls all got some fancy chap stick, nail polish and what is a fairy treat with out some green money!

There is Art in our Hearts.

I truly believe Art was a big tool in for all of us through the last two years, especially for Iza and Mimi. It is a way for them to escape, express, and communicate their feelings. At every hospital stay, clinic visit there was some sort of art being created. Child Life was sure to keep Mimi, along with Iza and Magi when they were visiting, busy with all sorts of activities but I would say the number one request was paint. For the second year in the row the girls participated in the Annual Baystate Children's Hospital Art Show. Betsy (Child Life Specialist) was not kidding when she told us this year it would be bigger and better! It was red carpet treatment, music, lots of smiling kids, amazing art work by artists of various ages. The girls had a great time making some more art while at the show and playing with their hospital friends. We always love to see the hospital staff while NOT inpatient.

Mimi with her artwork "Mimi Healthy" a self portrait in which she is holding a large glass of milk and has fancy earrings on.

Iza's piece titles "Super Sib Iza" It is a picture of her with a mask and a SuperSib cape on, and every super hero needs a palm tree!

The girls with Betsy.

Thank you for such a great Art Show for all the artists, and for healing with art every day.

We HEART Child Life Specialists

Today's paper had a great article about Child Life Specialists and how much they help not just the patient but also the siblings. All three girls were photographed along with Betsy and the portacath doll. I know all three girls benefited from being able to play in the hospital, whether it was singing, painting, coloring, movies galore, computer games, Kyle's magic bubbles, bead making... gosh I can go on an on. I know as a parent I benefited also I was so happy that someone was there to have fun with the kids while I was able to "recharged my batteries".

Please read the Article below:
Childlife specialists ease the trauma and pain of a sibling in the hospital

Special Guests at School.

December 3rd Iza and Mimi introduced some very special people to their whole kindergarten class. Annalise and Betsy, child life specialists from the hospital came to do a presentation about Leukemia. I have mentioned before Mimi wanted her friends to know what her port is and does. I contacted Child Life, first they spoke to Iza and Mimi asking them what they want to share, also how much I wanted to share. A letter was sent to the parents of their classmates letting them know who was coming and what they will be discussing.




After introductions and some background on what is Leukemia, in kindergarten terms, the kids asked lots of questions. Probably the most exiting part for everyone was Sam. He is a doll with a port, he was quite helpful way back when Mimi got diagnosed both to her and us. He has layers of "skin" as you peel the first layer off you can see a heart with a port that is removable. It shows the what the port looks like under the skin. The girls took him around to all the students and everyone got to feel the squishy part of the port where the needles go. After some more questions from all the kids they were separated into two groups. One group did some medical play by examining Sam, checking his blood pressure, giving him shots, giving him a name tag and so on. All the kids got to wear a mask and pretend they were doctors. The other group made art with things you might find at the hospital, such as band aids, gauze, medical tape and wooden tongue depressors. The kids were very creative with their artwork they just dove right into it and crated some great pieces.



I think everyone benefited form the presentation, all the questions were answered. Mimi is happy that everyone knows now what her port does and why she has it. Iza was a big helper showing Sam, I loved that Betsy and Annalise also mentioned how she is a great sister helping Mimi. I am happy the school was very open about having someone come in and talk. I am so thankful for such a great team of Child Life Specialists at Baystate, they have made some gloomy days a lot brighter, they will all hold a very special place in our hearts forever.

Playing with Sam the doll with the port.

Betsy's group doing some medical play with Sam, the kids were excited about keeping the masks and the name tags they got.

Annalise's group making some great art.