Remember When…

I have not written in several days, probably it has been a whole week. I have just been so busy doing so many things that there are times that I feel as though there just are not enough hours in the day to do all that needs to be done. It is 11:30 at night and my fingers are cramping from all of the typing I have done all day. My muscles ache and my eyes are drooping. But, there are so many things to do for so many people that I sometimes just feel as though I can not quit!

Last week, I got a desperate call from a very poor single mom in Jamaica whose 13 year old daughter has Down syndrome and a very severe heart condition. She had surgery on her heart at the age of 2 and has been on medication since then, up until October. 

The mother has no money for medicine and her daughter is slowly dying before her eyes. 

I have searched the internet for help. I have emailed and called so many people and am still waiting on replies!

The mother keeps scraping up change to buy a phone card to call me and see if I know anything new.

I don’t. 

Her daughter’s tongue is turning blue due to the lack of oxygen because there is so much fluid backing up in her heart without this medicine that she needs. 

She told me yesterday that her daughter can no longer walk across the room without bending over to catch her breath. 

My youngest son is the light of my life! He will be 13 in April. The same age of this little girl who needs medicine. Last week, our biggest problem in life was if we would get our Sam Houston clay statue complete in time for his Friday deadline. 

We did.

I don’t have medical insurance, but if my son needs to go to the doctor I take him and I make payments to the doctor until I pay it out. Our biggest worry medically has been his occasional migraine headaches. I give him some Tylenol or Ibuprofen and with a little rest he is fine.

In America, the majority of us do not have to worry if our children will die simply because we can not afford medicine. 

Sure, we all have our own worries, but our children’s tongues are not turning blue needlessly. 

I am worried.

I am worried for this parent. I am worried for this child.  I am worried for my own sanity if this child dies simply because I can’t get the medicine to her!

I am glad that I was born here in America and so were my children. I am glad that I don’t have to worry about them not having the medicine they need. My middle son takes daily medicine for several medical problems. My grandson takes daily medicine for several medical problems, including a severe heart defect. But he gets his medicine and his tongue doesn’t turn blue. 

I am tired.

I need to sleep so I can begin again tomorrow.

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