Every day, at least once, we would ask the nurses to have one doctor or another call us. We, literally, never got a call back from any of the doctors until we were about to go home a couple of weeks later. We only got to speak to a doctor when we would corner one. Funny thing is, when the doctors came through doing their rounds, we were told to leave and we still would not see or talk to them. I realize doctors are busy, but they really need to think about the person and the people behind the patient. We were lost. All we did was take turns going and sitting next to Eddie. Children are not allowed in the NICU and we have two girls who were in school. We really don't have any help from family. Well, we do have one aunt. Aunt Olga, who was an angel during the process and kept our girls entertained on the weekend. She is one of the most loving, nurturing and giving people I have ever encountered. She opened her home to us and never made us feel uncomfortable. She did it all. We stayed with her for the first couple of days until we got set up at the Ronald McDonald House. We live about an hour away from the hospital and this made things so much easier.
The Ronald McDonald House provides lunch and dinner and a little apartment for two adults and two children. This worked out for us perfectly. We were guests there during the holidays and had to run the kids to school from there only a few times. If you are ever asked to donate a dollar to the Ronald McDonald House, please do. We had never used anything like this. Never imagined we would have to. But it was truly a blessing. Everyone there is so welcoming, yet they leave you to yourself. If you miss the meal, it is packed nicely in the fridge for you to warm up. You have a security card to get in and out at any hour. Laundry is free. Food is free. There is a playground, computer access, tv room, kids playroom and a pool table. This place is an absolute heaven for families who need to be able to get to the hospital quickly and want to be near their sick child or children. I love the Ronald McDonald House and we plan to visit as a family one day to provide a meal for another family. You can visit the Ronald McDonald House - Austin website at http://www.rmhc-austin.org/
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Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI'm Jan from the Ronald McDonald House. We are so glad you were able to stay at the House when Eddie was in the hospital. When were you here?
Please join our facebook page at http://facebook.dj/rmhcaustin/ Perhaps you can connect with some other families there. We are working to start a family forum online to proivde support for families, but we are still a few months away from getting that set up.
Also, we have a support group that meets at the Ronald McDonald House the 1st Wednesday and the 3rd Monday of the month from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. It's called "Loss of Normal" and is for parents of children with complex chronic illness. It's a great group, and I hope you can come one evening. The next meeting is Monday the 20th.
Please email me at jgunter@rmhc-austin.org if you have any questions.
Barbara I just wanted to say that I am sorry about Little Eddie and his medical problems. I know how hard it is my son was born with ecoli in his blood stream and had a 100% chance of dying and was placed on ECMO at Duke Hospital. We also stayed at the Ronald McDonald House and I felt very blessed to have a place to lay my head at night instead of a long drive back home. It was like staying at family members and not a hotel. May God bless Eddie and your family.
ReplyDeleteSharon (uniquechoices)