A Long Night In The Hospital Changes My Perspective Of Basic Happiness
Posted: Monday, March 07, 2011
by Hilda Cang
Thursday - 3rd of March - approximately 5pm.
As usual, I was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. Then my elder daughter received a call, a call from the hospital to say that her daughter, my granddaughter's operation date had been fixed the next day (Friday). We had no idea why had they jumped from the 11th to 4th and only informed us at the last minute but nevertheless, we had been waiting for this day since Shantelle was naturally born with a tiny "dot" wart the size of a bean in her right cheek which must be removed however the price and time. We hate to see some extra meat hanging in there for a beautiful girl to be.
Shan was the smallest patient and so was her bed but it's big enough for her anyway. My daughter got a sleeping chair and we were gonna spend a long night here with other people.
The nurses came in to take Shan's blood and her pulse after the registration but a 2 year-old's vein is so tiny and so Shan screamed . All our hearts were ached with hers.
Once every step had been taken, we began to speculate our neighbors with who, we still had no time to get acquainted before we fully settled ourselves down.
A brief account of the 4 young and innocent patients :
1) 3 years old Bibi cannot utter a proper word and her movement is slow. She has been unable to stand or walk lately. No appetite to eat and vomits on and off. Under observation.
2) 8 years old Annabel was being knocked down by a car while crossing the road to a nearby supermarket. Fortunately the driver of the accident car didn't escape and he personally drove Annabel to the hospital for treatment and later, he lodged a police report for his own case. Annabel's mother was near crazy when she was informed of her poor daughter's incident and rushed to another hospital only to be told her daughter was not anywhere there. Finally her brother drove her (she couln't control her body from shaking, over shocked ) and located Annabel who was already given proper emergency aid.
3) 11 years old Mandy is a cleft palate patient since birth. She had undergone 5 surgeries since year one . They are active people in church and Mandy loves to sing.
4) 6 years old Donny is from another town 200 miles from the capital. He is like Mandy, suffering from cleft palate except Donny has no mommy. He was accompanied by a social worker of a welfare organization to fly him here. His mother had died when Donny was 2 years old. A very brave boy but what choice has he got even if he was not. He is a very special kid.
Although Shantelle's case was the most minor one, it did cause us all worried and anxious and praying fervently throughout the whole procedure.
Seeing each and every one child being wheeled out and wheeled in safely , we were relieved and thanked God for His love and mercy.
During that one night and day in the hospital in anxiety, I have learnt the real happiness in life and that money actually can't buy happiness is true. When you are simply healthy, you are indeed a lucky person and that's happiness !
Shan was discharged the next day. We went back home to rest but my heart was still thinking of those yet to be discharged and I wish all of them to get well soon !
This Article has been viewed 1,199 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Even though I used to pay regular visits to my mom in the hospital as she had to get admitted often due to her prolonged sickness, I still remember the dorm with different patients over there. She would relate many incidents from neighbors and as a child I would still be wondering what this is all about and never knowing the seriousness of the ailment. You brought back some strong memories today. :-)DM, thank you for commenting. As Greg put it, a hospital is not a place where people go because everything is going well in their lives. Only the sick need to go to the hospital to seek treatment. Hospital is not quite a place where you can be happy. You got mixed feelings all over you.
I used to be an RN in pediatrics - I tell you! Some sad and tragic cases and most of them did have happy family endings! You did good being there for your little ones, grandma!Thank you Marijo for commenting. Hospital, after all, is a great place with great people teams doing the best meaningful jobs for the sick. By looking at how they work gives me a sense of "small" for myself. My life is small compared to theirs.
How did the operation go on your granddaughter? was it successful?David, she was put to sleep although it was only a minor operation. ( the process took about 10-15 mins ) Everything went well with her. We were so relieved because I am quite a "nervous" woman as far as medical thing is concerned. I must say the hospital has very good doctor/nurse here.
Thank you for asking David !
I'm so glad your granddaughter's operation went well, Hilda. I hope the other children recover well, also - my heart goes out to Donny for have no mother. It's awful.And yes, health is such a precious thing. I love your articles, they're so wise.Thank you for your kind comment Jenn and indeed, health comes first. Until we get into a situation and witness it, we wouldn't appreciate how precious good health means to us.
I too, wish all our roommates in the hospital of that night a speedy recovery and in God's Grace.
True indeed, human life is more spiritual than physical. Possessions, luxury or any external manifestation of avarice has never been and will never be now or in the future the instrument of happiness. In fact the opposite is true - there is sorrow in the luxury and all many of material display and wealth. What happens is that you are out of balance and therefore evil and vile in spiritual character if you make wealth, luxury, money or any physical material things your goals that you set out to achieve.You are so right Chris. Happiness is a state of mind not something to chase but something to be (inner)
Your comment serves to be insightful and well thought.
Hi Hilda,
What a trial you went through. I am rejoicing that Chantelle is home and healing. I can relate with you somewhat, because my youngest son went throght three open heart surgeries before he was 18 months old. He is almost 20 now and I can, help but to Praise the Lord. God bless you and your family. Our prayers are with you all.
Love, hugs and blessings,
MichelleWhat a warm and soothing comment from you Michelle although you are through a lot of sickness sufferings yourself but I am glad our lord is with us. I wish you the best of health and meanwhile, Shantelle has recovered but she needs to go back for review next week.
love & hugs = HildaI hear you loud and clear Hilda!
I have so many appointments and yahta, yahta, yahta that I sometimes want to scream. Instead I pray and hope there is someone there to witness to...at least a "God bless you" or "Jesus loves you". Take good care my friend.
Love, hugs and blessings,
MichelleSame to you, Michelle. Luckily Jesus is inside of us so even though there may be no one that can witness the sufferings but remember , God is with us all the time. Consult Him for comfort and peace in time of trouble.
Love and hugs = Hilda
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.