Connor was just starting to learn the saxophone. His first
public performance was in a school talent show. I think he played Peter
Gun. We went out to dinner, something Connor typically enjoys.
He had a soda or two, used the rest room and felt crummy. He
didn't eat. We figured it was stage fright. The next day he moped around
drinking OJ and complaining he didn't feel very well. So Mrs BadShoe took
him to the doctor. They called for some blood work so the next day I took him to
Quest for a blood letting first thing.
They tried and tried to get blood and it took both arm to get
what they needed. It was early on a school day but Connor didn't feel up to
school. So we put on the Star Wars trilogy (the real originals with Harrison
Ford not the stupid prequel movies.) Connor was semi conscious, drinking juice
and going to the rest room.
I figured that if the doc sent us to quest it was no big deal
and we could wait for the results. Mrs. BadShoe and the doctor's office started
feeling otherwise. Finally that afternoon she decided to take Connor to the
local hospital ER. His blood sugar was off the chart. He was borderline
conscious in DKA. He was being shipped out to Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia as soon as they could get transport.
So not a whole lot of hours after his first ever saxophone performance Connor was
diagnosed diabetic. So it turns out it wasn't nerves about performing that had
him feeling funny before hand.
Connor (and Mom & Dad) needed some help learning what to do. Melissa was our nurse / trainer when Connor
was at CHOP. She was very cool teaching us how to get started with Connor's
treatment. She was more than happy to turn over the needle to Kim & I so we
could stick it to Connor. She also was very good about helping him learn about
what was going on.
As you can see above, Melissa is the type who enjoys her work.
Particularly when it is sticking needles into loud children like Connor.
It was a rough time at first. Connor was hooked up to this
machine as they put fluids and insulin into him. (As you can see he later came
to mock it, and if you look, you'll see he stuck the pumpkin.
click the picture for a bigger copy)
Melissa was very good about helping us not only the mechanics
of what we needed to do but also how to go about it with a smile. As Connor
picked up his louder than life sense of humor returned and found a happy
audience in her. She was serious but not solemn and that was a big help.
Connor awarded her a BadShoe Pin and she went straight to
looking at her shoes. Lots of laughs Melissa that is another part of the site
and your shoes seemed like you could walk on them all day - you pass.
Thanks Melissa
Melissa is part of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Empire. The scope of this operation would put Darth Vader and Emperor Zurg both
to same. It is everywhere it is everywhere. I also seems that every where it is
it is an outstanding operation.
Thanks CHOP
This is part of the marble roll in CHOP's lobby.
Over head was a little mobile.
Guess what else they have in the lobby that make hospital
living a little more fun for kids?
