A small doll like creature is in the bed supposed to be the bed of my sister. This little doll, what is it doing in Riley’s bed? Where is Riley? Every vein shows through the translucent skin of this…doll. Tubes attached at every angle to the body. There is one in the nose to give this thing air. The head is about as big as my dad’s fist, and the body the length from his fist to his elbow. This frail little thing is Riley.
I go to see Riley a couple days after June 18, Riley’s birthday. All my siblings are there, no one knows what to expect. We all heard that she looked different or was tiny, but nothing prepared us. As I walked into scrub off every inch of skin on my hands so I could see her my nerves kicked in. I don’t know why, but I was kind of scared. All I could see were machines and their taunting smirks as I walked by to get to the newest member of the family. This tiny, frail, fragile body lays there. I am afraid to even touch the hand; it looks as if something would brake instantly. More tubes than I have seen in my life are staring up at me. A small Piglet sits in the corner of the bed; it is almost as big as she is. Doctors and nurses run around the room to check on other babies in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Over all her body…scars.
The day I saw Riley for the first time I will not forget. This tiny baby seemed…fake. It never seemed as though something alive could be that small. How could survival even happen when someone is that little? Now I think about that and what Riley looks like now. We didn’t know if she was going to make it after her heart surgery, but she did. She is now 12 years old and is doing amazing. She still has scars, but the air in her nose is gone. She is a fireball and her beginning into this world will not be forgotten by any of her family members.
Oh my, really good imagery.
ReplyDeleteHospitals have always kind of freaked me out.
I would never want to have to see a loved so crudely hooked up to machines
Gotta admit, I was bracing myself for a sad ending.
So glad your sister is doing well :)
Wow, you did a great job with your descriptions about the situation. The beginning of your blog was my favorite, I could see it very clearly in my head what was going on. I could feel an adrenaline rush as I was reading some of the sentences.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great description. I could picture your poor little sister. I am so glad to hear that she is doing well now. I can't even imagine how frightening and difficult that must have been for your family.
ReplyDeleteAmazing imagery. I got a very clear picture right from the beginning. I think you did a great job describing hospitals too. I actually felt like I was there myself. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Blake. I'm not sure whether I actually enjoyed being brought there to the hospital and put into that situation (I hate hospitals), but you surely made it happen and you did it well. Fantastic job.
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