He smiled at me ... and other happy moments

So today it happened. He smiled at me!! Don’t worry…I’m not having a “He’s Just Not That Into You Moment.” ☺ I’m talking about the little boy I’ve been working with all week and have had very limited response. He’s the one that I talked about earlier when I was so excited the day he held my hand and wouldn't let go. My interactions with him after that seemed to be going progressively worse. He wasn’t responding and seemed to be withdrawing. I’ve learned more than ever during this last week the importance of just being consistently present in the lives of the kids I work with. Although I wasn’t getting much response, I continued to make sure I had daily interactions with this boy. I always made sure to tell him before I left the unit and remind him I would be back the next day. Slowly I think I’ve gained his trust and I’m so excited! Today I took a book to look at with him. It’s kind of a look and find book with bright colorful pages of fruit, animals, trucks, etc. We were looking at it together and all of a sudden he smiled at me! And then… he laughed! I know to most people reading this that won’t seem like much, but to me it was a HUGE break through! We continued looking at the book and he even started to talk to me. We counted objects, identified fruits in our various languages…it was so great! Later that day we played with a medical kit. It was so wonderful to watch him act out so much of what he’s gone through. He poked me with toy syringe about 50 times. I just sat there and took big deep breaths every time he did it. He mimicked me, breathing along with me. He also mimicked the sounds I was making to represent a heart while he was using the stethoscope. I really think we’re building a trusting relationship and I’m so happy to see the payoff of just being persistently present. ☺

Other happy events from the day…

* I am definitely noticing a change in the nurses already. They’re starting to tell kids before they perform various steps of procedures and I’ve even noticed them acknowledging and validating fears and expressions of pain. Today a sister even told a child. “Listen to her love, listen to auntie – she’s telling you you’re doing a great job.” FYI – I was auntie in that situation. I was really pleased with that.

* I do get to do a lot of baby holding while I’m here as well. I even accompanied one of those babies to the OR because her mom wasn’t here today. She was so playful with me before they gave her the anesthesia. It was nice to be able to be there and offer that comfort and support in the OR. Once again I have to praise that OR team for the welcome reception!

* I received my first real mail today. Cara Ditter is getting her own real life shout out in this blog! Thanks friend! I was so excited to get my card on Cara stationary!:) Thanks also to all who have been e.mailing and facebooking. It means so much to have your support.


The weather turned a bit chillier today and I’m not sure it’s turning back. ☹ We’ll see. It was rainy on our way home, so I just stayed in for a relaxing afternoon/evening. Hopefully tomorrow I can get busy on some more sight seeing.

That’s all for tonight, friends.

Love from Africa!

BTW_ If you’re reading this Maddie – I wrote back to you in the comment section of the last blog, so make sure you read it!