December 9, 2010
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Parent of Child?
I took my mom to the kidney dialysis center today for her evaluation. The doctors say she may need dialysis soon. As we were walking in I knew this was hard for her even though she never likes to talk about it. She had dialysis for two years a long time ago before her kidney transplant. It’s been 20 years and the transplanted kidney is failing now. And even though the kidney lasted for a time we didn’t dare imagine it could, receiving the news that it might not last much longer from the doctors was still very hard for her; and that was very hard for me.
When we stepped into the elevator I hit the button for the 2nd floor that said “Adults.” The 3rd floor said “Children”. Then I watched a child half of my height step in with his walker. I pretended not to notice him. But I took in everything about him,..... He was young, and naive, his soul wasn't tainted yet, his face was puffy, probably from the steroid he was taking, or could be the fluid buildup in his body that he was here for to be hooked up to a machine for 4 hours 3 times a week to get his blood cleaned and water removed. I felt my throat tighten as I walked past him and an older gentleman who is probably his father. I wondered who this is harder for. The child? Or the Parent?
