HOPE Center

During a recent day off, I was able to go to the HOPE Center (Hospital OutPatient Extension Center) where our patients go after discharge from the hospital if they live far away and need to return to the ship for dressing or cast changes, or for another surgery. It is a wonderful time to go to visit with and play games with the children and adults outside of the hospital, not as a nurse, but as their friend.

 Ravette was there. She came to the ship several weeks ago, with legs severely malformed as a result of an childhood injection which caused the muscles in her legs to atrophy and weaken. Without the muscles to pull the bones straight as they grew, her legs bent backwards. She had surgery, and just the other day, her casts were removed. She has straight legs now. And a beautiful smile that is almost a permanent fixture on her face. Have I mentioned lately that I love my job?

Ravette