Thirty-six years ago this week, a certain two-year-old stood holding the rails of his crib, wheezing. Inexplicably, he was up too early. His mom called the pediatrician's office and was told it must be the croup. She was advised to put him in the bathroom full of steam, then bring him to the office when it opens at 8 a.m.
Dec 23, 2021·edited Dec 23, 2021Liked by Julie Gammack
Great column, Julie. And hurrah for Elly the nurse, the docs, you and most of all, Thomas! Life is good! Actually you stopped me in my tracks to read this. It took me back to a frantic dash to Blank Hospital when the baby Andrew Offenburger was seizuring with a fever. Whatever I promised God that night if Andy could be healed, I sure as hell hope I delivered.
Even with this beautifully written memory, I can't begin to fathom what a terrifying experience for you this must have been as a young mother with a seriously ill child. Not to mention illustrating how horrifyingly frightened and alone those other children must have been.
What a powerful cry for (and just for one very important aspect of many in the legislation) the Build Back Better Bill to be passed. This is exactly the kind of experience shared that could move the needle in helping the public understand what the bill could provide and why we need it. Thank you!
And we were fortunate to have Blank Hospital in Des Moines. It was a fine institution. We had our 56 year old son, John Dean Lemkuil, born at Methodist Hospital in 1965. He had breathing problems and was transferred to Blank Children's Hospital very soon. He stayed there for a week. I went home. I was not working and not getting paid to be home. When he was 6 weeks old I started working again on the 3 to 11 shift as a nurse with my best friend, Joyce babysitting until 5 PM and then my husband Stan babysitting from 5 to 12 when I got home. We traded babysitting. I took care of Jeff, her son, and she took care of John. We did not pay each other. We worked different days so we would have a sitter and we worked weekends when husbands were home. Stan had neighbors and his aunt Hattie that helped him some with his babysitting little John Dean. When he came home from the hospital he had to be watched 24/7 for the breathing problems. He had stopped breathing 4 times in the hospital. My Mother, Naomi Cleveringa, came to help us watch the baby all day and all night for two weeks. Soon we saw the doctor and he said we should just watch him all we could. We thank Blank Children's Hospital for taking good care of our son when he was born.
Excellent story and a real world example of why we are all connected == every child who is traumatized by a failure to provide him/her with care, education, a solid foundation will affect us and everyone around them over the next 80+ years - thanks for the illustration. We truly are all in this together.
Such beautiful storytelling -- and such an important message. Kids don't vote, so they need advocates.
Thanks for writing your powerful story and message.
Heartwarming story, beautifully told. There are several heroes here Julie, the bravest being you.
I love your Christmas story Julie, it is truly heart warming!
Wonderful, Julie. But I wish you would not have had to go through that. God bless!
As a nurse, I read this as if I was in that ER with you. Powerful. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful story, Julie. Thanks for sharing it now. Love to you and your son this Christmas.
Great column, Julie. And hurrah for Elly the nurse, the docs, you and most of all, Thomas! Life is good! Actually you stopped me in my tracks to read this. It took me back to a frantic dash to Blank Hospital when the baby Andrew Offenburger was seizuring with a fever. Whatever I promised God that night if Andy could be healed, I sure as hell hope I delivered.
Even with this beautifully written memory, I can't begin to fathom what a terrifying experience for you this must have been as a young mother with a seriously ill child. Not to mention illustrating how horrifyingly frightened and alone those other children must have been.
What a powerful cry for (and just for one very important aspect of many in the legislation) the Build Back Better Bill to be passed. This is exactly the kind of experience shared that could move the needle in helping the public understand what the bill could provide and why we need it. Thank you!
And we were fortunate to have Blank Hospital in Des Moines. It was a fine institution. We had our 56 year old son, John Dean Lemkuil, born at Methodist Hospital in 1965. He had breathing problems and was transferred to Blank Children's Hospital very soon. He stayed there for a week. I went home. I was not working and not getting paid to be home. When he was 6 weeks old I started working again on the 3 to 11 shift as a nurse with my best friend, Joyce babysitting until 5 PM and then my husband Stan babysitting from 5 to 12 when I got home. We traded babysitting. I took care of Jeff, her son, and she took care of John. We did not pay each other. We worked different days so we would have a sitter and we worked weekends when husbands were home. Stan had neighbors and his aunt Hattie that helped him some with his babysitting little John Dean. When he came home from the hospital he had to be watched 24/7 for the breathing problems. He had stopped breathing 4 times in the hospital. My Mother, Naomi Cleveringa, came to help us watch the baby all day and all night for two weeks. Soon we saw the doctor and he said we should just watch him all we could. We thank Blank Children's Hospital for taking good care of our son when he was born.
Thank you for sharing this heart warming, but also challenging story.
Touching story. We need universal healthcare.
Excellent story and a real world example of why we are all connected == every child who is traumatized by a failure to provide him/her with care, education, a solid foundation will affect us and everyone around them over the next 80+ years - thanks for the illustration. We truly are all in this together.
I bet I know that nurse, Elly! A great person and a great nurse!!