The Kanis Family

Yesterday on the drive to Children’s I was thinking “It’s such a beautiful day!! I wonder if they can arrange it so that Benjamin can go outside for even just 5 minutes.”

So I got there, got stopped by a pharmacist to talk about how great Benjamin is doing. Then met a nurse who I hadn’t seen in a while who is a sweetie. I mentioned it to her and she said to just mention it to Benjamin’s nurse as they have done it before. When I got to Benjamin a nurse was covering his nurse’s break so I didn’t mention it to her. I visited with Benjamin for a while and then his nurse came in the room. I asked her about it and she said she would talk with the RT’s (Respiratory Therapists) to see if they would have time and then she asked the doctor. The RT’s said “For Benjamin, OF COURSE!!” And the doctor told her to go for it. After about an hour- hour and a half of planning it was all arranged.

In the meantime we went for lunch at Van Dussen Gardens:) Then we went back and they were just about ready. So I helped them put Benjamin in the wheelchair, rigged up a gown that would cover his bare arms and covered him with some blankets. His eyes lit up when I told him that we were going to go for a walk outside. As we were waiting for the nurse and RT’s to get all the equipment sorted out I could tell he was getting anxious to go:) It’s amazing how much equipment Benjamin needs for a walk while in the ICU- the bi-pap machine, a portable saturation monitor, a suction machine, an oxygen tank to hook the bi-pap to, a backup battery for the bi-pap machine, emergency resuscitation equipment just in case the bi-pap machine stops working. But it was all worth it just to see his eyes light up as we came outside and the smile on his face.

We walked down a few hallways to get outside and then walked around the building and back in. The last little bit we had to walk a little faster since his battery for the bi-pap machine was starting to go dead. When we got back inside I could tell he wanted to go back out. Hopefully we’ll get to do it again sometime.

It’s amazing how all the nurses around were so excited that Benjamin got to go outside! I can definitely tell he’s in good hands with the amount of love he gets from them. And it’s amazing what they’ll do for about ½ hour outside! I’m so happy Benjamin got to experience going for a walk again after being in the hospital for 10 weeks!!

All ready to go:)

Taking the back way out of the hospital

Outside for the first time in 10 weeks!

Mommy enjoying watching Benjamin's expressions at being outside!

Having fun taking my son for a walk

Coming back in- taking up the whole hallway