second AHA moment

I was new to school nursing but not to nursing.

I knew a sick child when I saw one.

So on my first year as a school nurse I notice

this dark haired, pale student in line.

I try to make note that I need to find out who

this child is and do an assessment on him.

However, anyone who works knows that

sometimes you get busy with the daily grind of the job

and your mind puts these things aside.

When you are working for God though, he doesn't

let you forget that easy.

About two weeks later the assistant principal

walks this same child to my office.

At first I am confused because he is with the asst. principal,

is he in trouble? He is crying and he appears scared.

One thing is for sure he is very, very, pale.

The a. principal shares with me that while on the third floor

he was asked to leave class which was unusual for this student.

He is never in trouble, very quiet.

On this day not only is he sent out of class but as he hits the

first floor he runs into the A. principal and begins to cry.

He says he is in trouble but he also doesn't feel good.

She takes action and instead of focusing on how much

trouble he may be in she escorts him to me.

I know with one look this child, a 9 year old, is critically ill.

His heart rate is in the mid-100's when 80 is normal.

He is pale, the color of a sheet and exhausted, quiet and crying.

I call his mother, she doesn't drive, there are problems on the home front

and she wants to believe maybe that is why he is so upset.

No, I insist she must find a ride and I must talk to her.

She says yes she will find a ride.

I am worried, there are reports that Daddy may not allow

Mom to take him to the doctor, he is controlling.

I don't know how I am going to get her to believe me that

this child needs medical help now but I pray that God will give

me the words. Mom makes it there, she also is pale and shy

but she takes one look at her baby sitting in my office,

takes him in her arms and says, "My baby"

I am comforted by this. No man can overcome the love

this mother has for her child.

She still wants to make excuses for his condition,

"I gave him cough syrup this morning, that is what

is making his heart beat fast"

"He doesn't play outside, he is always this color"

Somehow, I am given the words to get this Mother to promise

that she will leave this school and go straight to the emergency room

not waiting for her husband's approval.

I go to the office and share with the secretary how concerned I am

I don't remember exactly what I told her.

The next day there is a call from the students mother.

I am called to the office because at that time I did not

have a phone line and she is insistent that she speak with me.

I take the call and she is crying, she is thanking me.

I ask, "how is he?"

She says the words"

"He has leukemia, I brought him to the hospital,

they transferred him by ambulance to Children's

he is in ICU having blood transfusions"

I hang up and I become weak to my knees right there in

front of the secretary.

I tell her, he has leukemia and I begin to cry.

She says to me:

"Lilly I don't know why you are surprised, you stood here

yesterday at my desk and told me you knew he had leukemia"

I had no recollection of saying those words to her.

I am happy to say that 7 years later,

this child is fine and in remission.

happy AHA day!