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We’ve been keeping in touch with our amazing volunteers virtually. Check out some of their lovely notes in return (sharing with their permission, of course):
To all employees of CHEO, thank you for all you do for our children every day but especially during this difficult time. I think of you all the time and look forward to returning as a volunteer when the time is right.
Stay safe and healthy.
Lucie
I’ve just returned from my walk under sunshine and blue sky. As I made my way around the hospital ring road I thought of you all. I’d decided to send a message to you when I got home in hopes that you, your family and your ‘work family’ we’re all managing well in our current situation.
Then I checked my email. It was lovely to see the electronic message and read through your comprehensive update. Thank you all for your caring words. It appears we were on the same wavelength.
Kind regards to you and those you hold dear
Ainslie
Thanks for update for volunteers. During these days thinking of all the amazing healthcare workers and other essential workers out their continuing to do their jobs and taking care of us.Thanks for checking in ,we are well in our household and keep are thoughts and prayers for everyone as the world continues to fight this .
Wishing you well,
Diane
Merci pour votre message. Hope you are also well and healthy. I am looking forward to resuming my volunteer work but understand the situation and that this may be a while.
Want to take this opportunity to thank you and all staff at CHEO for the work you are doing. You are special people and I know that many many people appreciate the risks that you take and everything you do to take care of our sick kids.
Take care and hopefully, see you soon
Danielle
Hearts in the window - Across the world people are displaying hearts in their windows as a 'thank you' to all the healthcare providers and frontline workers who are doing so much right now to save lives. We saved our heart craft for this Easter weekend first because the guys do NOT like crafts and will share this favourite activity of mine only once a year on my bday weekend. Second, because the heart holds a very special meaning for our family on this Easter weekend. It was 11 years ago on another Easter weekend when we received an unexpected call at home from Dr. Maharajah cardiac surgeon at CHEO to share the news that our surgery date was being moved. Instead of the devastating cancellations that we would experience during Logan's third surgery years later, this time the surgery was being pushed forward. Our six month old baby would undergo his corrective 10.5 hour open heart surgery in just two days (the day after Mom's bday). So on April 13th, another Easter Monday, after many months in isolation with tears and chocolate eggs smeared on our faces we scrubbed our boy in orange hospital soaps and prepped him for surgery the following morning. It was a different kind of rebirth as he came home to us a few weeks later with a stronger beating heart.
This Easter weekend we celebrate and pause to think of all the heroes who have passed through our lives in the past 11 years. They are doctors, surgeons, researchers, specialists, nurses, anestheiologists, nutritionists, occupational therapists, technicians, social workers, hospital cleaners, Oasis and cafeteria staff, administrative support and yes, even a clown named Molly Penny who have been a part of our hearts and cardiac family and literally, a lifeline during moments of fear, dread and exhaustion.
They are compassionate, brave beyond measure, experts in their fields, a reassuring smile across the crowded cafeteria at CHEO in moments between life and death, a listening ear, a promise of hope and a shoulder to cry on. They have lifted us from dark places time and time again. They have celebrated our triumphs with each homecoming and each year that passes. They have advocated for our family on many levels both in and out of the hospital and the classroom knowing that the heart is interconnected to the entire body's function and as well as our mental health as a family and peace of mind.
We worry today for each of them and pray on this Easter weekend that God will take care of our heroes and send them home to their families safely at the end of each shift, just as he did for our now happy healthy pre teen 11 years ago this weekend. Thank you to everyone who is taking isolation serious to protect all these amazing miracle workers, those most vulnerable like our son and your own loved ones and families. Health and family are truly all that matters in this life.
Happy Easter! Happy heart birthday Logie.xoxo
Heather