Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Youthful Optimism

Going into clinic yesterday we expected Henry's counts to be low and to receive a blood transfusion. We arrived and played for a while in the newly renovated playroom which now includes a fish tank serving also as a window from the reception area waiting room into the playroom area where children receiving outpatient chemotherapy or transfusions wait out their treatments. Henry was excited to see the new tank, but unfortunately it's residents won't arrive until Friday so the entertainment value was limited.

I had picked up several of Henry's favorite toys to bring to our visit and stopped for a couple magazines for me to read during the 3-4 hour process. We had just put in the movie 'Toy Story' getting settled in for our wait when the nurse came by and gave us Henry's counts. They were low, she announced, not to any surprise. The blood bank, however, did not any longer have a sample of Henry's blood and the sample they'd just taken would take several hours to process and it was already 2pm.

My first thought was that they were going to ask us to stay overnight as she had emphasized that his counts were very low with some gravity, but that possibility was clearly dismissed when she asked us to return the next day. Just when we thought we knew what to expect, another curve ball. Nothing too difficult, but a change in plans just the same. I asked Henry if he wanted to go home now and he looked at me like I was joking. When he realized I wasn't, he told the nurse, "At least I didn't have to get hooked up, that's good, right?"

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Henry is such a HERO!!! He's always, always, so
practical and focused. Today I told him I was very very cold. He told me to be sure to wear my coat.

I am learning from Henry every day - my problems and concerns are so petty and fixable.

We love you Henry!!!

Anonymous said...

Henry, it is good that you didn't have to get hooked up!So the new secret is to come prepared to stay and they will send you home. We think and pray for yall daily!
Lots of Love,
Susan Peeples Vallotton

Anonymous said...

Henry, you make me smile!

Keep it up. We love you.

Cousins Susan and Cody Herren

Anonymous said...

Dear,dear Henry - you make me smile. Someday I will tell you the story of the optimistic little boy, who upon finding a huge pile of manure in the barn, said: "WOW! There must be a horse in here somewhere!" And you are so right - at least this time you didn't have to get hooked up; you are always looking for that horse. Maybe someday your mom and dad will write a book, "The Quotable Henry". God bless you and your courage and your wonderful strength & humor through optimism. Love you little boy, MAB