Apathy, and statistics, and babies

[Trident-za]

I'm sure we've all heard the concept that "1 million deaths is a statistic, the death of 1 person you know is a tragedy".

This is something I've always believed, but.... it still takes personal experience to ram it down your throat. My brother recently became a father (2 weeks ago) and his son is currently in hospital (he has been throwing up everything he eats for 5 days or so) and I went to visit today. It was an eye-opener in some ways. I've seen people get shot, and die, before... but this was different. The nurses were trying to put an IV into my nephew, and he was not happy... screaming in pain etc. My wife had to restrain me, since my basic response to seeing people get hurt is "hurt the bastards back". It took some convincing that the nurses weren't delibretaley hurting this young child.

In short... it was a strange experience - I seriously struggled to control my instincts - for the first time in about 10 years. Generally speaking, I read about deaths and think "**** happens". This was different - and I'm not sure why. It's not as if it's actually my child - but my emotional response was... not civilized.

I'm not even sure where I'm going with this post. I hate seeing the abuse of defenceless things (babies/animals/people), but the emotional response I felt (and how hard it was not to... respond) was a big suprise. I dunno - i'm not expecting responses to this post, just "venting". I've always been very controlled before, even under fire - my emotional response to this was just a shock, I guess. As such, I'm .... disturbed.....

P.S. This little child hasnt died, but the thought of him dying..... just ... screwed my mind up a bit, which is odd considering how many funerals I've attended.

[hank]

I'll ask the big man to be with your nephew before I turn in tonight. I hope he recovers. My wife had our first child last Wednesday and seing hurting children does change your world view. My daughter is healthy and I thank the Good Lord for that every day. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

hank

[Trident-za]

Thank you, Hank

I guess the lesson I learnt is this: new born babies are different - no matter what race/religion/creed etc. There is just something special bout them - and they should be protected, no matter what. I'm currently more in awe of a newborne baby than any SF unit out there - they are just so... amazing. Those of you who are parents are probably laughing at me right now.... but its true.

P.S. I'm glad your daughter is fine, and hope she remains that way.

[Stavka]

Children are the absolutely worst patients. Not because they complain, cry or ask snooty questions, they are the worst because:

A. Children shouldnt be in hospitals. They should be playing on merrygorounds, comparing marbles, testing if worms are edible and all the other things kids do. Theres nothing worse to take care of than a sick child.

B. The parents and relatives. "Yes, father of patient X, I am hurting your child for the fun of it. No, of course I dont know what Im doing, they hire anyone for this job!" Had not the children been in need of their parents I would have them banned from my ER. Has happened on a few occasions though.

C. It hurts. Yes, it hurts. Us staff. No matter how many years you got in the hospital, it hurts seeing dying/nearly dying children.

All parents that read this, try to keep in mind that the best thing you can do for your hospitalized child is hold the kids hand, let em know dad/mom is there. And stay the fck out of the way of the staff. Assaulting the staff is an especially smart idea, yes we are happy to take a hit to the face... :cantbeli:

[Tane Angle]

I just wanted to say that I'll be thinking of your nephew and his family.

[Haiw]

I'm sure we've all heard the concept that "1 million deaths is a statistic, the death of 1 person you know is a tragedy".

This is something I've always believed, but.... it still takes personal experience to ram it down your throat. My brother recently became a father (2 weeks ago) and his son is currently in hospital (he has been throwing up everything he eats for 5 days or so) and I went to visit today. It was an eye-opener in some ways. I've seen people get shot, and die, before... but this was different. The nurses were trying to put an IV into my nephew, and he was not happy... screaming in pain etc. My wife had to restrain me, since my basic response to seeing people get hurt is "hurt the bastards back". It took some convincing that the nurses weren't delibretaley hurting this young child.

In short... it was a strange experience - I seriously struggled to control my instincts - for the first time in about 10 years. Generally speaking, I read about deaths and think "**** happens". This was different - and I'm not sure why. It's not as if it's actually my child - but my emotional response was... not civilized.

I'm not even sure where I'm going with this post. I hate seeing the abuse of defenceless things (babies/animals/people), but the emotional response I felt (and how hard it was not to... respond) was a big suprise. I dunno - i'm not expecting responses to this post, just "venting". I've always been very controlled before, even under fire - my emotional response to this was just a shock, I guess. As such, I'm .... disturbed.....

P.S. This little child hasnt died, but the thought of him dying..... just ... screwed my mind up a bit, which is odd considering how many funerals I've attended.
Shocked? Disturbed? Don't be... all it was was love and human compassion at its finest hour. It's what seperates us from machines. Be glad and proud you have it.

P.S. Hope the kid's gonna recover, still congratulations on the birth.