It’s Ironic

Readers of my blog will know I try hard to keep my son’s image and personal information out of this space.

So when I received a message from a representative from Ornge, the world’s innovator in the emerging field of transport medicine to speak at a launch of their program in Markham, ON, I hesitated.

I hesitated because by agreeing to attend their event, my guy – and his story of survival - would no longer be private.

While we would love to donate both to Ornge and to the Hospital for Sick Toronto for saving our son’s life two and a half years ago, we, at this time, cannot. So instead, I figured by making myself available to tell E’s story, it was a way to tell the world about the great things Ornge does for sick children.

Yesterday was the event.

We listened to speeches from Ornge and Markham Stouffville Hospital people as well as someone from Ted Rogers Foundation, which donated $250,000 to bring a branch of Ornge to Markham Stouffville Hospital.

There was also a slideshow of pictures when E was sick, but on the mend, and from now when he is considered cured.

A representative of Ornge read E’s story and my belated letter of thanks to the team that ensured E survived the journey from Markham Stouffville Hospital to SickKids.

I confessed I sobbed, sobbed when I thanked – via letter – the Ornge team for ensuring E made it to the hospital safely and for ensuring he wasn’t alone. It still makes me cry.

E had a blast. The Flying Lion (thanks A) mascot was a hit; the stuffed flying lion toy that each child who is helped by Ornge receives is still being carried around; and E got to check out a critical care land ambulance; sit in the front seat; talk through the sound system; play with the siren; sit on a stretcher; go in the elevator; check his lion’s blood pressure and heart rate (sadly it was flat lined); kiss a baby; be interviewed; have his picture taken; and basically be the star of the show.

His story – and his picture – was on CityTv and Global TV. His photo was captured by Canada Press and therefore can be in newspapers and websites across the country and therefore can be viewed by millions of people.

Yes it’s ironic I have been so careful about Ethan’s information, but I am so glad we went and hopefully helped out a program that Canadians are so lucky to have.

Pause to Remember

Today, Canadians across the world will be honouring those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians pause for two minutes of silence to remember the men and women who left behind their loved ones to join in the fight for freedom.

The day marks the end of the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918 – the war to end all wars, which of course did not happen.

So on Nov. 11, we also remember men and women who fought in the Second World War, Korea and those still fighting in Afghanistan.

Remembrance Day should not be political. Whether you believe in Canada’s role in Afghanistan or not, Nov. 11 should be a day of thanks. Thanks to the people who thought of others before themselves; thanks to their families for sharing their loved ones with others; and thanks to people who stand up to bullies.

Thank you, veterans – Canadian and otherwise – for fighting to ensure we can speak out for what we believe.


A Special Thanks
I received a phone called from a woman from The Source, and not the Sources book, a contact resource for journalists, which I asked when she called.

No, this was an employee from The Source, the electronic store, who noticed a weird order placed on my credit card and who was kind enough to call not only my house, but my work, to question the more than $300 worth of Playstation equipment charged to my credit card.

Thank you to the employee from The Source, whose name I didn’t catch, for being so diligent and saving me a lot of time, grief and money.

Sick Babe
The babe was sick last week, hence the long absence from my blog.

We went straight to emerg when his fever hit 102, his body going into seizures with projectile vomiting and a little boy who really wasn’t with us.

He is only now getting back to normal.

Thank you to our wonderful daycare providers and the doctors and nurses at Markham Stouffville Hospital. Again.

Singing the praise of Sick Kids

When our son was one month old, he was airlifted to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Those first few days were dreadful as we watched our little guy struggle to live - his heart racing and skipping at 240 beats per minutes, double what it should have been.

While we were petrified our son’s heart would be damaged beyond repair if it didn’t stop working so hard, we never doubted the care or expertise of the doctors and nurses at Sick Kids.

We were constantly told by family and friends that while no one wants to darken the doors of Sick Kids, if you have to be there, the downtown facility is the best.

They were right.

Our son received constant care and so did we. Our endless questions were answered, and the nurses and doctors were patient, kind and professional.

Once our son was stabilized we were moved out of the cardiac intensive care unit to the cardiac unit. Despite the nurses having multiple patients, we never felt our son was not receiving the best care.

Almost two weeks after being admitted to the hospital, we were sent home - glad to be going but worried.

Our little guy will be seven months old in a couple of days and while we still worry, we know he is better. We also know that if we need to, care and compassion will be found at Sick Kids.

Sick Children’s Hospital information
http://www.sickkids.ca
Donations
http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com/donate/

PS-A special thank you to Markham Stouffville Hospital for the care they gave to our son then and now.
Markham Stouffville Hospital information
http://www.msh.on.ca/
Donations
http://www.msh.on.ca/donate_now