Monday, January 26, 2009

Hey good lookin'

The Boy looks good. He feels good. AND the numbers reflect it.

He doesn't feel great. His platelets and hemoglobin were only okay, not super, but his white count was excellent. That's a good thing, because it means that I feel less paranoid about taking him places. Specifically, I feel better about taking him to see Daddy at school during his lunchtime.

I had two people come over, yesterday and today, to spend a few hours helping. It's nice just to know that there are people who are willing to do that. Yesterday's guest was a volunteer from Chai Lifeline who is close to my age. She got involved after hearing about the organization through another Jewish organization and had decided that she wanted to become more involved in volunteering. When we are in a better position in our lives, I'd like to do the same. I also regret not doing more when things in my life were better, although I don't know when I would have had the time...anyhow, I feel that much more compelled to give back, but I'm not in a hurry because I'm not able to yet. The other visitor that we had, today, was kind enough to watch the house while I took The Boy for his appointment, and then she stayed for a few hours. She attends my synagogue. I was able to wipe the bathroom counter, get some lunch together, fold laundry with her help and put it away, and feel a bit better knowing that there was an extra person, an extra set of hands. She is retired, having been a nurse, and she doesn't have as much going on. Both of our helpers seemed to enjoy The Boy and were glad to be there to help.

Next time I have either one of them, I'll have to be a bit more organized with what I want them to do, but this time around, I just wanted to get to know them and have them get to know The Boy. And even if I have an extra adult around from time to time, to help a little with stuff, or watch The Boy while I go out to the store, or just to have a conversation with me, it's a good thing.

I felt bad for a family at the center who arrived for treatment and ended up getting admitted right there, because both the baby and the mom had a fever. No fun.

1 comment:

Becky Froman said...

Hi Molly,

So wonderful that you have some extra pairs of hands! I read what you wrote on my sister's blog about not asking for help...I'm so glad you have some extra help!!! And about giving back...what you wrote about donating blood, makes so much sense. Last year, my friend and I participated in the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days Fundraiser, and also organized (I use that last word loosely though as it was a bit last minute) a benefit event. I need to sit out this year...but the urge to volunteer and to give back, is overwhelming. It feels like you are doing something, even when you can't do much. (Cue music: Ride of the Valkyries. Scene: a troupe of volunteers and fundraisers fending off nasty mean swarming cancer cells with sheilds of donor forms and swords of ACS pens).