My son was in the hospital the last couple of days with pneumonia and boy did it bring back some bingeing memories. With seven children, you can imagine that we have spent many a night in the hospital. As much as I would hate that my child was so sick and that we were couped up in a small room usually attached to an IV pole, I loved the food.
The food came three times a day for the child and the parent. The child was so sick he or she rarely ate much, so guess who ate theirs too? Me. And I could choose foods off the regular daily plan of baked chicken and steamed veggies. Not that I didn't like those too, but the burgers, pizzas, cokes, and desserts were a definite improvement. It was like room service! And the nurse always asked if I needed something and was more than willing to bring me a snack or another soft drink. If eating nearly 2 trays of food and being catered too by the nurse wasn't sweet enough, my sisters would visit and bring me all the candy I wanted. I would eat the candy late at night and during the night when the child was asleep since he/she couldn't have some. I told myself that I needed all that food and candy because I was so tired and worn out from taking care of the sick child. I was just as sick as the child.
So, this hospital stay was totally different. I had a feeling the doctor was going to admit him to the hospital, so I packed my food:) While there for 27 hours this time, I didn't feel couped up so much. I didn't think about food. I sat in the hospital bed with my 8 year old boy and watched him play the xbox game, watched t.v. with him, and got to talk to three nurses about the food plan:) They thought it was interesting that I brought my food and asked about it.
There was a peace during the entire experience from getting checked in, to getting a chest xray, and getting an IV and blood drawn because I kept praying this simple prayer throughout, "God, You are here. You give us everything we need. You surround us with love". No whining, no binging, no obsessing about the next food tray coming, no obsessing about running out of candy. Instead, I was present with my sick child, trusting that God's will was being done, accepting His will, and carrying the message of recovery when I got a chance.
Mary Rose
My son was in the hospital the last couple of days with pneumonia and boy did it bring back some bingeing memories. With seven children, you can imagine that we have spent many a night in the hospital. As much as I would hate that my child was so sick and that we were couped up in a small room usually attached to an IV pole, I loved the food.
The food came three times a day for the child and the parent. The child was so sick he or she rarely ate much, so guess who ate theirs too? Me. And I could choose foods off the regular daily plan of baked chicken and steamed veggies. Not that I didn't like those too, but the burgers, pizzas, cokes, and desserts were a definite improvement. It was like room service! And the nurse always asked if I needed something and was more than willing to bring me a snack or another soft drink. If eating nearly 2 trays of food and being catered too by the nurse wasn't sweet enough, my sisters would visit and bring me all the candy I wanted. I would eat the candy late at night and during the night when the child was asleep since he/she couldn't have some. I told myself that I needed all that food and candy because I was so tired and worn out from taking care of the sick child. I was just as sick as the child.
So, this hospital stay was totally different. I had a feeling the doctor was going to admit him to the hospital, so I packed my food:) While there for 27 hours this time, I didn't feel couped up so much. I didn't think about food. I sat in the hospital bed with my 8 year old boy and watched him play the xbox game, watched t.v. with him, and got to talk to three nurses about the food plan:) They thought it was interesting that I brought my food and asked about it.
There was a peace during the entire experience from getting checked in, to getting a chest xray, and getting an IV and blood drawn because I kept praying this simple prayer throughout, "God, You are here. You give us everything we need. You surround us with love". No whining, no binging, no obsessing about the next food tray coming, no obsessing about running out of candy. Instead, I was present with my sick child, trusting that God's will was being done, accepting His will, and carrying the message of recovery when I got a chance.
It's truly life worth living:)