Sadly, this will be our last post. Meg is ALL FIXED (apart from wobbly eyes) and we want her to have a few days of chilling (in this heat) and resting. We have a couple of loose ends to tie up at Children’s this week and then we hope to change our flights so that we can return early. We have been reflecting on the whole experience and have identified some of the more surreal moments:
- While waiting in the parents’ area during Meg’s surgery we chatted to another couple whose baby was having surgery. The baby’s father is a paediatrician – and a Wykehamist! He went to Winchester College so he and Josh compared notes about their experiences.
- While still waiting we were treated to a harpist, two clowns (Dr Maladjusted), a robot, a chaplain and Doris. Doris was our serenely calm updater.
- While still, still waiting we had access to our own cafe, telephone, beds – you name it, we had it.
- At Legal Seafoods (where we had dinner with PB) the table water was Hildon Water – all the way from Broughton, our next village!
- Eating tea and buns at 3am at Au Bon Pain in Children’s during Meg’s first night in ICU.
- Listening to the Archers and Test Match Special in ICU – wireless and mobiles allowed.
- No hot doctors. At all. Anywhere. Except for PB. How disappointing is that?
- A prescription for Meg’s epilepsy medicine was given to the pharmacy for dispensing. The cost? $550. Luckily, we had brought plenty with us from the UK.
- Josh’s haircut taking 80 minutes.
- The amount cars use their horns. One guy drove through a red light. The driver behind him leant on his horn because he was going through too – and the first car wasn’t going through fast enough.
- A police presence at all road works. Sometimes there are five police in attendance. Not doing very much.
- Spending hours watching the house opposite our B and B being moved. And piles of earth being shifted.
- Eating a side of fries with a coffee – after dinner (Josh).
- Browsing in bookshops until 11pm.
And the most amazing thing of all? That Meg is wonderfully well, due to the skill and care of all at Children’s and because none of us (and that includes you) ever once gave up hope.
Bless you all
Helen XX
PS Now go buy your ball tickets!