| Biographical Non-Fiction posted March 1, 2010 | Chapters: |
...7 8 -9- 10... 
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Finding hope .....
A chapter in the book Contest Entry and Winners
When You Least Expect It
by Begin Again
heroism Contest Winner
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, in places we least expect them, and at times when our need is the greatest. In November of 1968, I was blessed with my hero.
Without any of the usual formalities, the hospital chaplain baptized my four-month-old son, Johnny and offered a prayer for his life. Terrified and alone, I kissed him, whispered how much I loved him, and then stood helplessly watching as the orderlies wheeled his crib into the operating room, knowing I might never see him alive again.
For days, the neurosurgeons and numerous specialists tried to prepare me for the obvious. In a last minute effort to save Johnny's life, they'd made the decision to insert a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to release the cerebrospinal fluid on his brain. The procedure was in the infancy stage at the hospital, but was the only way of giving my son a whisper of hope. Regretfully, they stressed that it was a last ditch attempt at saving his life, but reality was that he had little more than a 1% chance of survival.
Seven and a half grueling hours later, as I frantically paced the hallway, the operating doors opened and an orderly walked through the double doors. My knees buckled and tears streamed down my face. He was carrying a wide-awake Johnny, turban and all.
Later, Dr. Casey told me that half way through the surgery, in one of the most difficult and intricate times, Johnny awoke from the anesthesia and started cooing at them. He said everyone in the operating room could feel the jolt of inspiration he gave them. Because of his size, they were unable to give him any more anesthesia and the operation was completed with him awake.
To this day, whenever I think life's burdens are too much, I remember how a twelve-pound bundle of joy fought against all odds and won. When skilled professionals gave him little chance of survival, he fought the battle and triumphed.
Forty two years later, through tears of joy, I am still fortunate to be able kiss my hero every day.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, in places we least expect them, and at times when our need is the greatest. In November of 1968, I was blessed with my hero.
Without any of the usual formalities, the hospital chaplain baptized my four-month-old son, Johnny and offered a prayer for his life. Terrified and alone, I kissed him, whispered how much I loved him, and then stood helplessly watching as the orderlies wheeled his crib into the operating room, knowing I might never see him alive again.
For days, the neurosurgeons and numerous specialists tried to prepare me for the obvious. In a last minute effort to save Johnny's life, they'd made the decision to insert a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to release the cerebrospinal fluid on his brain. The procedure was in the infancy stage at the hospital, but was the only way of giving my son a whisper of hope. Regretfully, they stressed that it was a last ditch attempt at saving his life, but reality was that he had little more than a 1% chance of survival.
Seven and a half grueling hours later, as I frantically paced the hallway, the operating doors opened and an orderly walked through the double doors. My knees buckled and tears streamed down my face. He was carrying a wide-awake Johnny, turban and all.
Later, Dr. Casey told me that half way through the surgery, in one of the most difficult and intricate times, Johnny awoke from the anesthesia and started cooing at them. He said everyone in the operating room could feel the jolt of inspiration he gave them. Because of his size, they were unable to give him any more anesthesia and the operation was completed with him awake.
To this day, whenever I think life's burdens are too much, I remember how a twelve-pound bundle of joy fought against all odds and won. When skilled professionals gave him little chance of survival, he fought the battle and triumphed.
Forty two years later, through tears of joy, I am still fortunate to be able kiss my hero every day.
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Writing Prompt who is your hero/heroine? |
heroism Contest Winner |
 Recognized |
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