Cooped up for days there was just one thing to do on our second full day of freedom from Room 47.  An alphabetical scavenger hunt.

Couldn’t be too difficult, right?  This is a huge hospital: lots of wings, plenty of floors and so much to look at.  But Nate and I weren’t sure.  Would we find a tricky “Q?”  How on earth would we discover a “Z?”  The eight-point Scrabble letters also seemed a bit intimidating — would we have to search all day for the the “J” and “X?”

We were bored yesterday morning and needed an adventure.  Nate’s immune system was strong enough for a stroll.  With cancer treatment, you never know when you are going to be in isolation.  We’ve learned to take advantage of free time.

What follows are our discoveries, A to Z.  Some treasures were at our doorstep, others were a bit more challenging.  But all of them brought Nate and me some fun on an otherwise boring, cold January day in the hospital.

A is for the vast, whimsical and beautiful collection of ARTWORK displayed throughout the hospital placed at various heights for children small and tall.

B is for 2B, the floor dedicated to cardiac patients and where Nate underwent successful open heart surgery at five weeks of age.  At that time we thought spending three weeks in the hospital was a long time.

C is for CHILD LIFE specialist Jenn who helps Nate and Sam (as well as Ted and me) cope with being in the hospital.  Jenn brings us volunteers, toys, beads and activities, along with fun and laughter.

D is for the smart, empathic and strong DOCTORS who are treating Nate’s cancer.  They truly are saving Nate’s life.  They are mighty and brave.

 

E is for the ELEVATORS that shuttle us up and down.  Floor Three, please

F is for FRANKI, our FRIEND, whose photograph hangs in the Hall of Heroes outside of the NICU.  As a newborn, Nate was treated in the NICU for a fever.  Ted and I would pass this photo several times a day and wonder: “Who is this little miracle with the brightest smile and where is she now?”  A few days after discharge, Franki’s mom and dad coincidentally knocked on our door.  They had learned there was a new baby with Down syndrome who lived in the neighborhood.  They offered support and encouragement.  Little did they know that their daughter had already been doing that for us.  Franki and her parents continue to inspire us today

G is for GIFT SHOP.  Here, Nate is signing “more” in front of the stuffed animal display.  This kid knows his mother is weak when one of her boys asks for something in a store.

H is for HAND SANITIZER.  The noise of this dispenser drives me crazy, but I do appreciate its effectiveness in preventing infection.

I is for ICE MACHINE.  How I wish I had this industrial gem at home!

J is for JAZZMAN’S, which has the best coffee in the house.

K is for KITCHEN, Nate’s favorite toy in our unit’s playroom.

L is for LOBSTER LANE, the hallway that bridges the old and new hospital wings and always reminds us of Maine!

M is for MARY, the nurse manager for Nemours Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders.  She always makes time for us and has the best candy in her office.

N is for NURSES.  Words won’t do justice for what they mean to us.  They are sharp and compassionate, kind and fun.  On the frontline of treatment, they are calm and collected.  They take care of our whole family.

O is for OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Chelsea who is passionate and playful in helping Nate develop new skills.

P is for PIANO, the grand piano that the sits in the hospital atrium.  Yesterday Jim from Pastoral Care played a special song for Nate.

Q is for QUIET CORNER, an alcove where Nate and I enjoy reading.

R is for ROCKING CHAIR, sturdy and comforting.  We’ve found them near the NICU, cardiac floor and oncology clinic.

S is for this SCULPTURE, “Hope and Remembrance,” given to the hospital by the Candlelighters, the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Delaware.  We paused to think about those who have journeyed before us.

T is for THERAPISTS Trish and Lindsay.  With music and art, they transform our day.  You never know what we will create when they stop by our room for therapeutic play.

U is for our UNIT, the BBMT Unit.  The sign is intimidating because there is powerful work taking place on the other side of these doors.

V is for VIEW of Nemours Mansion and Gardens from our room’s window.  We took this photo a few days ago after the season’s first snow.

W is for WELCOME, the warm sign that greets those who visit Nemours.

X is for XYLOPHONE, a very special xylophone.  This toy brought Nate great comfort as he recovered from his first cancer treatment procedure.  When a Child Life specialist learned Nate left it behind in the recovery unit, she tracked it down for him so that he can keep it with him throughout his hospital stay.

Y is for YELLOW MODULE , the outpatient clinic on the first floor, a surprisingly difficult letter to find.

Z is for ZOO, the Brandywine Zoo, which yesterday sent volunteers with some very interesting animals for the hospital children to see.  Here Nate appears to see some similarities between his shoe and Bluebeard, a blue-tongued skink.