Wollongong wasn't my first hospital. When I was born, I was coming too early and they needed to send me to Sydney, for the extra care I would need.
I was in Sydney for three long months before I came back to Wollongong. I was sent to the NICU and spent another month there.
In Sydney, Mum and Dad had to wait for someone to let them hold me. Many of our earlier cuddles ended with my turning blue and having little chest massages. I wasn't held much, in those three months.
In Wollongong, Mum and Dad soon learned that they could get me out of my bed at any time. In Wollongong, our cuddle time really started.
At first, I set the alarms off, a lot, but the nurses soon learned that Mum was there all day, and would do pretty much all of my care. Mum learned to look at their faces, whenever I gave her a fright. The nurses helped her feed me and they helped me grow and thrive. Dad came in, after work, and spent the nights with me. I would fall asleep on his shoulder.
(I was back in Sydney a week later, for a hernia operation!)
Because of my lungs, I have had a few hospital stays for pneumonia and breathing issues.
Back in Wollongong, I had weekly blood tests and had my central line cleaned and dressed. The chemotherapy treatments destroyed my immune system and I had several stays in hospital for different infections. I needed many platelet transfusions, as well as blood and plasma transfusions. I was in Wollongong Hospital for all of these. Over nine months, I got to know a lot of the nurses in the Wollongong Children's Ward very well.
They made us feel safe and always explained everything to us. They treated me with care, when I was seeing them every week, and got to know me for the cheeky, determined little boy I am.
During my chemotherapy treatments, Wollongong Hospital was like a second home and I spent so much time in the Children's Ward that Mum and Dad drove around with a packed hospital bag in the boot of the car.
We dread that we will be in the Emergency Department for hours, while they try to determine what is wrong with me. We know we will become bored and exhausted and frustrated.
We hate knowing that I will need a cannula, because we know my veins are thin and brittle and finding a vein is really difficult. Often, this will make me scream and cry until I lose my voice.
But, we know the hospital staff are doing what they need to do.
I can be a tricky patient for the doctors and nurses, because it can be hard to find what is wrong. I don't have the words to tell them.
Sometimes, the doctors think Mum might be over-reacting, by bringing me to hospital, but then she uses her medical terminology; words she's learned over the years, and they start to look at me a little closer.
Almost always, I am admitted to the Wollongong Children's Ward.
For us, getting on to the Children's Ward is a relief, and it is where we can start to relax. Remember, for a while, it was our second home.
The nurses know me. They like me. They have helped save my life.
I like them!
For the new nurses, who don't know us, we might be confusing. We are comfortable in the hospital room. We are comfortable with the procedures and usually know what will happen and when.
We don't need help with getting the meals or changing the bed or getting a new pillowcase or towel.
The nurses there know that when I am sick, I am happiest when I am touching someone. I think its from those long months when I couldn't be held. If I am sick, I want someone to hold my hand or hold me.
And so, Mum, Dad or Aunty Carol will often sit on my bed with me. Sometimes, they lie there with me. When the Noisy Sisters visit, they lie with me, too, because I need to be with them for a moment. Newer nurses know this is not what should be happening, but nurses who know us, know this is what we do. They leave us to the hugs.
Lots of new nurses ask Mum whether she is a nurse.
No. She is just very experienced.
The nurses recognise Dad, too, and discussions about football come fast and thick.
When the nurses walk in to my room, we all get smiles and consideration.
And, the nurses and doctors have to make sure they keep everyone calm, relaxed and happy while they care for the sick children. They do a great job.
We hate hospital, but we appreciate the Wollongong Hospital Children's Ward.
They have helped save me.
They are comfortable with me being non-verbal and not being able to sit up, like most other patients.
They have looked after Mum and Dad.
They know the adults will eat Subway dinners, sitting on my bed.
We like the nurses at the Wollongong Hospital Children's Ward.
And, we like the new policy to allow lidded hot drinks (Coffee!!) on the ward!
To give something back to the Wollongong Hospital Children's Ward, we are entering Run Wollongong.
You can join the Love Dexter team, or you can choose me to be a virtual runner for you. (You stay in bed and I do the hard work!)
I will be rolling in my wheelchair, not running!
If you'd like to nominate me as your virtual runner:
Run Australia website - Register Now - Run Wollongong - Virtual Runner - and find my name 'Dexter'.
You just never know when you will need to spend a few nights at the Kid's Ward.
100% of registration fees go to the Wollongong Hospital's Children's Ward.
You can read the Illawarra Mercury article about me, the Wollongong Hospital's Children's Ward and Run Wollongong here.
We Nearly Lost Him
Pneumococcus Dexter and Hospital
Hamish and Hospital
Hospitals – Need ‘em, Hate ‘em
Being Confident -Immunisations
McHappy Day Thank a Paramedic Day
Helicopters and Morphine Oh Nuts!
Mum was Crying in the Ball Pit
What a Dollar means to Dexter
When Wheelchair Stops Being a Dirty Word
Dexter's 2013
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
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