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I'm so sorry about your gramma. I haven't been in this serious a situation personally. My darling son was born 3 months early at 2lbs3oz but is great at age 4! My dear hubby was severely burned at work 10 years ago and we got through that (he couldn't feed himself but only because of bandages, etc. - I was happy to oblige him.)

I suppose my feelings come from having worked in the terminal section of a nursing home. I was the opposite of the youngster who let your gramma get bungled up. They were my pals, surrogate-grandparents, and yes I had 2 vegetative-state patients whom I adored and spoiled horribly. I'm not tooting my horn, but I'm proud to say I passed my Certified Nurse Assistant test with a perfect score and went on to fall in love with everyone on my floor. I cried bitterly when I lost a patient and later when I left to be married. After I moved down here with dear hubby I got more into my field of study at college and have since concentrated on graphic design with a little law thrown in for good measure. :-)

I'm so pleased that you have found a new direction. I know you will do well since you are such a caring person.

My youngest wasn't born nearly as prematurly as your son. He was 36 weeks and 5 pounds eight ounces and on life-support for ten days. The docs blew a hole in his lung with the ventilator (pneumo-thorax), he lost weight and I spent all ten days sitting next to him, holding his little hand and watching him look at pictures of his brothers I had taped to the inside of his basinette.

Many were the wonderful girls who tended to the babies in the NICU. They expressed to me (privately) their disgust with the (mainly) moms, and sometimes dads who seldom if ever isited their babies and spoke with reverence of those who had their little ones baptised and held them as they passed.

I hope your hubby is okay now. Again good luck in your .

I can't imagine a more heart-breaking job other than pediatric oncology.

Best of luck in your new endevour.