JERIKA13

Just wanted to pipe in here with a different perspective for many of you. I am an "older" student-almost 36 and will be finishing my RN this May (2011). My daughter has a fatal genetic neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She has had a g-tube since just turning 1. That was the first of many surgerie and many PICU stays for life threatening respiratory complications. A trach is also in her future IF there is no cure. Please remember that not all children that are trached and g-tube fed are vegetables. Her brain is completeley unaffected and she is happier than the majority of humanity-I don't say this lightly either. I will never forget the last PICU nurse that cared for us after her 8 hour spinal rod placement in Madison. That surgery literally was life threatening, but necessary. It was the scariest time ever for us and while not pleasant, her nurse Christen, will forever be in my heart and mind. I was so thankful for her confidence and understanding and all the explaining she did while also finding patience to handle my multiple questions and hesitancies. You may not realize what you are to families like us, but you are often our everything: our communicator with the docs, our advocate, our support, our educator, and most of all, when we know you are genuinely giving the best care for