This morning, I went to the park early to set up for Justine’s birthday party. I was expecting Chris and Erin and their kids to show up any minute, as they would be bringing the coffee. A necessity any morning, but especially before a party full of sugared-up kiddos.  As I was putting out the box of donuts, I heard a voice behind me: “Hello, there, Little Lady.”

Lo and behold, it was THAD, walking his dog. If you’ve been following since the beginning, you’ll remember Thad was Vernon’s main nurse for the first two months of his coma.  This is the third time I’ve run into him since Vernon was moved from Mission Hospital, each time in a different town.

As I greeted him with a big hug, I saw Chris and Erin coming up the path behind. I just assumed Chris had invited him to the party….maybe even brought him along. But no, Chris was as surprised as I.  Apparently Thad lives in that very neighborhood!

Since it was still early and no one else had arrived yet, we were all able to chat and catch up for about ten minutes. We filled him in on Vernon’s situation, which he was very curious about, and he let us know his dad had passed away some months ago and his own mother was moved to a nursing home. It always touches me deeply to hear the behind-the-scenes stories of nurses and doctors. Sometimes they are so busy caring for our loved ones, we forget that they are dealing with trials of their own.

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Here we are…the Three Musketeers of the ICU. Only human after all. Except for the dog, of course…

 

 

 

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