Did you know over 465 languages offer a form of
"Thank You" for its native speakers to use when showing gratitude for
kindness, generosity, etc.? While living in New York the past two months
those two words have come out of our mouths more times than in the last five
years combined. I, for one, am very thankful for the opportunity to show
my gratitude to the many wonderful New Yorkers we've come in contact with since
October 22nd and have forever positively impacted our lives.
Since our time in the city is quickly coming to an
end, I feel it befitting to say "Thank You" to those that mean and
have done so much for us over the last eight weeks. Honestly and perhaps
amazingly, this in and of itself brings a mixed bag of emotions.
Last Friday, unbeknownst to us, was our last visit
with Carnegie Imaging for Women. Over the last two months, Friday
afternoons routinely began with a pilgrimage to 148 Madison Avenue where we
would joyfully have a new sonographer measure the length of my cervix,
carefully monitor the baby's heartbeat, artfully determine the length and size
of each major organ and skillfully evaluate the amount of amniotic fluid in my
uterus. After the assessment was completed, we would get to see our
favorite Mississippi born/New York residing physician, Dr. Chad Klauser, where
he would answer a myriad of questions we threw at him. I was prepared to say goodbye to the phenomenal
team at Carnegie Imaging for Women this Friday, 12/21, so you can imagine my
surprise and sudden onset of water works when I learned while sitting in Dr.
Klauser's office this visit would be our last. After he gave us the final
"green light" to head back to Austin, I started to cry...and cry....
and cry. Saying goodbye proved to be much harder than saying hello.
Today was our last visit with Dr. Szilvia Nagy, our
general OBGYN. She, being the consummate professional, handed-over all
medical records for us to pass along to Dr. Grogono in Austin and hugged me at
least five times while we both expressed our mutual love and admiration for
each other. I cried before I got into the exam room so my emotions were a
little more controlled at this visit. I only wish Dr. Nagy was a tad bit
closer as I will forever love and respect her as a person and physician.
Unfortunately, most practices don't allow, based on revenue demands and
the business models put into place, the kind of care Dr. Nagy showed us.
Having a doctor hand over a personal cell number and spend 20 to 30
minutes with us at each visit is unheard of these days and I'm thankful Dr.
Nagy took care of us while we were in New York.
God knows exactly who and what we need and at the exact times we need
them. Dr. Nagy is proof of this!
So, we've been released to head back to Texas,
which we plan to do next week, and resume our lives with a healthy baby coming
our way sometime in the near future. The purpose of today's blog is to
send our sincerest "Danke" for all those that have made our stay
painless and memorable in New York...Here goes:
"Merci" to the medical
professionals and physicians at Carnegie Imaging Center for Women. Your
knowledge, experience and expertise saved our child's life. How do we
ever properly thank you for that?
"Nagyon köszönöm" to Dr. Nagy and
her staff at NY Downtown Hospital. You made us feel like we had a medical
home when we were utterly homeless and we forever love you.
"Gracias" for the love and care
given by the Labor & Delivery nurses, medical students and staff at NY
Downtown Hospital while we were hospitalized for five days. Their quick
action and diagnosis saved Baby P and thus, we are forever indebted.
"Dhannvaad" to Hector, Marlon
& Dawud in our building for being the friendly faces and kind words we saw
and heard each day that consistently brightened our spirits.
"Efharisto poli" to Billy, Jimmy
and the crew at the Market Diner for taking our minds off my failing cervix and
allowing us to feel normal while watching the Aggies and Vols play each
Saturday afternoon at their counter bar. These are some of the best
memories we have of New York.
"Shukran" to my Brooklyn-based
friend, Suha, for meeting me for lunch twice over the past two weeks.
Though we haven't seen each other in ten years, real friendships are the kinds
that pick up where you last left off.
And lastly, "THANK YOU" to our friends,
family and work colleagues across the country for your gifts, cards, emails,
texts, phone calls and mostly prayers in arguably the hardest two months of our
lives. We will NEVER forget any of you!
In closing, I like most of you have been adversely affected by last
week's horrific murders in Newtown, CT. I found myself asking a few
different friends and myself one question, "My gosh, what is this world
coming to?" We may never know the motives behind Adam Lanza's acts
of evil but there is one thing I want everyone that reads this blog to
know...Keep believing in Good! We have been the recipients of more
kindness, generosity and love over our time here than we could have ever
imagined. Yes, there will be other atrocities before the end of time,
I'm sure of it, but don't quit believing in the good 99% of the rest of the
world has to offer those in need. I choose to focus my attention on these
acts and I hope you do too.
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