
Most of the rooms in PEDS, as well as the pediatric patients in the ED, had contact restrictions this week because of flu and respiratory conditions. That meant the visits were mainly clowning from the doorway or a distance to minimize exposure to and spreading of germs, viruses, and nasties, as well as to be out of range of hurling objects.
I could hear a bad cough from out in the hallway. First peeked in with Dr. Bear, who delivered a morning bubble bath. The coughing stopped, and the floating bubbles seemed to quietly focus the inside of the room on the partially opened door. Then with Dr. Fowlbreath by my side, I looked in and saw a little guy and his mom sitting on the bed wondering what that rubber chicken was up to.
The door opened, and so did the eyes.
Mom asked him if he wanted to show me a magic trick. Wow, he was going to entertain ME! So, with a little drumroll and fanfare, I introduced The Amazing Brandon (not his real name). Ta da!
Mom got a small prop from what looked like a magic kit on the table, he put it behind his back, I interrupted to make sure he had a magic word (to which he quickly said, "Presto!"), and he showed his hands empty . . . it had disappeared, just like that! It was so sweet and simple, and he was making the magic all by himself.
Asked him if he wanted to help me with a trick, and of course he said yes. He helped me make one foot disappear, and then he made a silk appear out of my empty change bag (after a zipper opened 'oops' led to me clutching my knee), then made it disappear in my hand, and then reappear in the bag, all by wiggling fingers and saying "Presto!"
Thanked him profusely for helping me, then left him and mom with "You are amazing!"
Down the hall, another little guy was really engaged with his musical keyboard, different buttons playing different little tunes. Was he ever surprised when each little tune sent a different silly little dance through Dr. Fun E. Bone's body and legs! I danced all the way through making napkin roses for Mom and Aunt who were there.
And onto the next room I danced . . .
I could hear a bad cough from out in the hallway. First peeked in with Dr. Bear, who delivered a morning bubble bath. The coughing stopped, and the floating bubbles seemed to quietly focus the inside of the room on the partially opened door. Then with Dr. Fowlbreath by my side, I looked in and saw a little guy and his mom sitting on the bed wondering what that rubber chicken was up to.
The door opened, and so did the eyes.
Mom asked him if he wanted to show me a magic trick. Wow, he was going to entertain ME! So, with a little drumroll and fanfare, I introduced The Amazing Brandon (not his real name). Ta da!
Mom got a small prop from what looked like a magic kit on the table, he put it behind his back, I interrupted to make sure he had a magic word (to which he quickly said, "Presto!"), and he showed his hands empty . . . it had disappeared, just like that! It was so sweet and simple, and he was making the magic all by himself.
Asked him if he wanted to help me with a trick, and of course he said yes. He helped me make one foot disappear, and then he made a silk appear out of my empty change bag (after a zipper opened 'oops' led to me clutching my knee), then made it disappear in my hand, and then reappear in the bag, all by wiggling fingers and saying "Presto!"
Thanked him profusely for helping me, then left him and mom with "You are amazing!"
Down the hall, another little guy was really engaged with his musical keyboard, different buttons playing different little tunes. Was he ever surprised when each little tune sent a different silly little dance through Dr. Fun E. Bone's body and legs! I danced all the way through making napkin roses for Mom and Aunt who were there.
And onto the next room I danced . . .