More Than A Week in Maine
It was a dream vacation for a teenage boy to ski a week in Maine with his parents.
But a serious skiing accident quickly turned this boy’s dream into a nightmare. His Mom and Dad’s greatest fear became a reality as they rushed to Bangor to join their son on the PICU unit of EMMC.
The boy’s parents soon realized this stay would be more than a week. How would they manage without their family support network around them? This boy was far too critical to endure any transport option early on. Mom longed for her friends back home, and Dad was soon forced to return home to manage work and family in New Mexico . EMMC staff came through with support on all levels of care that was open, flexible, and expressed with compassion for the dilemma this family faced.
Thankfully EMMC had some helpful technology that allowed both mother and son to receive some long distance good wishes. With EMMC’s “You’ve Got Mail” e-mail, a patient program, EMMC volunteers brought them deliveries of email from friends far away several times a day. Supportive friendships were built with Peds staff, too.
Though the family was anxious to get closer to home, it was clear that Maine bonds had become strong. Through weeks of surgeries, and daily painful dressing changes requiring sedation, the family and the young man developed a trusting relationship, and the distance from home had become less visible to them.
After three months stay in Maine , the young man finally was healthy enough for the family to transport him to a hospital closer to home in Minnesota . So, they packed up his email, gifts, and flowers sent from old friends far away, and left new friends in Maine to head back.
The Moral of the Story:
The strength of communication with family and friends, old and new, can never be under estimated in the healing process.
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