sunday ramble and reading

saturday afternoon was a nice day with my daughter on the outing. when we picked her up, she was standing in the hallway holding her teddy bear and had her fleece blanket draped around her. the butterfly adorned cheerful blanket is the one i gave to her on her birthday, when we celebrated her turning 22 years old in the other ward in december.

recently, one patient told me another patient had the blanket, and i simply told a nurse "the butterfly blanket is my daughter's". she nodded. this is typical in the wards/units, many times things go missing, other people pick things up, so does my daughter, she might find a pen and keep it, but--the blanket was her birthday present and one that i wanted her to have to feel safe and somehow better by having it there.

the teddy bear was one i brought to her the day we took her dog for the outing, so she could have an easy transition back into the ward with something to cuddle after saying goodbye to her dog. i was pleased to see her have these things remain in her possession.

she looked like a little kid standing there, i guess as mom it's easy to see that, but she surely did.

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she played basketball for a while, we took her to (one of the worst ever! live and learn!) a chinese food restaurant for lunch, and then walked through the enormous dog park. it's a really beautiful setting, and so quiet you can hear the quiet, it's peaceful. so many dogs happily playing and running. as we walked along the old country road alongside the dog park, my daughter enjoyed drinking a chocolate shake.

as i stood there watching her dribble the basketball, i really saw her. one of those moments, where i thought she "survived" something. honestly it gave me pause, i felt like she has had a near death experience. that seems drastic, but that's how i felt seeing her participate for the first time in years, as she is lately with so many things. like a slow come back to life, and i hope it lasts for her forever.

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i've recently found a new blog to read, and this story touched my heart, and caused me to keep reading the StorytellERdoc blog. Take a look, and enjoy some interesting stories written by an ER physician. I've seen my fair share of ER time with my daughter, and one always hopes to find a compassionate doctor or nurse in those situations.

StorytellERdoc's blog is up for a medgadget award. as a finalist from last year's awards, i always appreciate the list of blogs i find in medgadget nominee and finalist lists. Go take a look!