Childhood Illness

My daughters, Kristi & Jenny were pretty healthy kids when they were little. We did end up with some hospital time for both. Bronchitis seemed to be a particular problem. I actually don't remember Kristi with the problem as much as Jenny.

I recall when we lived in some side by side apartments in Racine about 1974 Jenny was a little over two. She became ill with bronchitis and was hospitalized. Her mother, Bonnie and I would go visit her and she was in an oxygen tent. The tent was intimidating. The little person had and IV in her arm, there were hoses and tubes running around and she was all alone in there. I recall one time during a visit she wanted a hug. I couldn't get at her to hug her, the tent was in the way, the hoses and tubes. I told her that I couldn't hug her as the apparatus would not allow me to get close enough. I felt so bad. I wondered if I shouldn't have just unzipped the tent and found a way to get close to her for just a little bit. She was a bit of a Daddy's girl.

Kristi on the other hand had a Plantar's Wart. We still lived in Racine, only now we were actually in Sturtevant just out side of Racine. Kris, Bonnie and I talked about what to do and the options and I told her that I had a similar wart removed years ago and the Dr. burned it off. We had some discussion about the procedure. I told her they had to numb the area so she wouldn't feel any pain. Both Kris and Jen had an aversion to shots. Kristi sucked up her courage and told me she wanted to have the wart removed. At the time we went to the Racine clinic and the Surgeon's name was Don Gore, what a name for a Surgeon. We made the appointment and I took her to the clinic. It seemed that when shots or things like that were required I was the person that had to take the kids. I guess Mom's soft heart wouldn't stand the emotional stress.

Kristi and I went there and on the drive you could see she was totally focused on what was going to be inflicted on her and wanted it over. We didn't talk, I couldn't get her to be her usual self. The Surgeon took one look at the wart and asked Kris if it hurt or it affected her walking or running. Kristi said no. Don look at the two of us and said then he did not recommend having the wart removed surgically as it was a virus and would eventually go away. We left the office, when Kristi got to the car she broke down and sobbed almost uncontrollably from relief of not having to have the shot in the foot. This would've been around 1978 or so. Kristi would've been 9 or 10.

Jenny would get so upset over having a shot that I had to take her because I literally had to hold her still. She would get so upset, then when it was over, she was back to normal. I recall one time she had to get some type of a shot and became almost hysterical. In fact, her little arm was so tense the nurse bent the needle on the syringe when she gave her the shot. Tough little shit.

God they are nice kids.