I am sending you this letter to tell you the story of my life, wait, OUR life. Yes, our life, because when you spend two to seven days a week at Cardinal Glennon from the time you are two months old through the time you are ten, you are not just a "you", you are a "We"! "We" prepare to go to Cardinal Glennon every week and by "We", I mean my mom, my nurse, and me. When you need lots of care, you need a "We", because it takes a lot to take care of me. It's hard sometimes to spend so much time traveling to the hospital each week and some weeks not getting a day to sleep in. But, if you are like me and you have a "We", then traveling to the hospital isn't about another hospital visit. It's about laughs between me and my "We".
Since the time I was 2 years old, I started needing more from Cardinal Glennon. I began to need the ability to come on any day of the week, with only an hours' notice. In my rare case and need, my "We" had to be able to always be ready for me. My "We" couldn't be cranky and say, "Oh great, another add-on!" or "She's coming again?" "Ugh!" My "We" had to be ready and able to handle a call from me at 6:30 am that said I needed my "We" to take care of me! Because I lose blood every day and there is no way to tell how much it will be. The patience and understanding of my "We" are very important to my family and me.
My "We" has been with me a very long time. This isn't about a one-time run into each other kind of thing. This isn't a "she was good to me that day kind of "We". My "We" has been there for me every day, every week, every year, for 8 years! Yes, eight years now. My "We" is always looking out for me. She will text to say, "Are you coming my way?" She greets me with "Hey A!" Every time she sees me, even though it is really early in the morning and she probably hasn't even had her caffeine, she has a "Hey" for me! My "We" can tell when I'm not quite myself. She notices little things and says, "What's up with you?", "Hmmm, you don't look or seem like yourself." My "We" says "How is Jack?" because she knows my dog's name. My "We" makes me laugh with the look on her face. My "We" calls it "A's chair" because for eight years it has been my space.
My "We" is so special and close to me and my family. She worries when I'm not there because I'm always there. My "We" will call if she thinks I am ill. Just a sign that my "We" knows me so well. My "We" comes looking if I'm inpatient and will certainly call. My "We" shows up to visit my room when I'm staying in 4 North halls.
My "We" knows I have four siblings, all of their names and the dog I love. My "We" thinks ahead and makes sure I'm taken care of. My "We" knows all of my troubles and struggles. My "We" never complains when there's a lot for me she must juggle. My "We" feels bad when I'm sad or in pain. My "We" knows IVs drive me insane! She stands up for me and protects me when she can. My "We" always makes what's best for me her daily plan.
My "We" doesn't just know everything about me. I know all about her and she's my expanded family. My "We" has always been there for 8 years for me. I spend more time with my "We" than much of my own family. I hope you can understand how important my "We" has been to me. That's why Dawn Sleeper, my "We" is a true DAISY Nurse.
Thank you for reading about my special "We". Together, WE are a team. Without her support, I'm just me.