Changing Carter WATTY AWARDS 2012

The Change begins

I have always heard that going through a tough time or illness makes you stronger, makes you relise what you have. So here I sit in the ICU room with my mother who is in a coma and my dad. I think I don't have to say he looks scared because he obviously is. The nurse came in earlier and put medician into my moms iv. They said that she had a reaction to the medicine and had a stroke that left her in this coma. My mom is young she had me when she was 18, my dad was 19. They have been hapily married ever since.

As the night grew late dad didn't want to leave my mothers site and neither did I. Christmas break begins tomorrow so I won't have school, which is good so I can stay with my mom. My mom and I were suppose to go Christmas shopping tomorrow for dads new tie. I must say all I want for Christmas is my mom to wake up.

My dad and I fell asleep in the hopsital room in the chair I dreamed about her all night. Dr. Reed came in to talk to us about my moms progress her surgery would be happening later today. Dad followed Dr.Reed into the office to sign papers. I gave my mom a kiss and told her how much I love her then the nurse took her away for her surgery.

I sat near where my moms bed was looking out the window. I prayed.

"Dear Lord, please be with my mom, she is going in for surgery. All I want for Christmas is my mom to be awake and alive, happy and healthy.

Amen"

I didn't want to sit in the room by my self so I set off to explore the hospital and out of the cornor of my eye I couold see my mom in her bed laying hopless as they turned the cornor.

I walked around for a few minutes and found a prayer area and a rest area for family and friends of patiens. I drew some pictures. I soon ran out of pictures and desided I should make my way down the halls room by room and talk to these people.I want to make their day and smile. That is exactly what I did.

The First room I went to was an elderly man who had just had knee surgery. His spirit was high and you could tell that he was hard headed because he refused to let me help him get up. Then the next room was a young girl who was sick, maybe with a bad virus I wasn't sure but I drew pictures with her. We made at least 20 pictures before I went door to door handing them out.

I walked past my moms empty room to see my dad sitting, looking out the window like I had earlier. He signaled me to come so I did. "Carter," he said. " Dr.Reed just came in he said your moms surgery went very well. We won't be able to see her tonight they are keeping a close eye out for her, But she is exspected to be ok." a sign of relief hit me. "Thats great dad" I said.

"Carter I would like to sleep and stay here as long as she is her is that ok, Grandma and Grandpa will be ehre in the morning." "thats fine dad I wouldn't want it any other way."

I told him I was going to go to the baby nursery just the window because I wanted to be happy. As I made my way there, there was a boy my age bald, looking at the babies. "It gives me hope" he said. These babies make me believe in miricals." He looked so serious and into my eyes.

"I am Carter," I said. He introduced himself as Jake.  "I have cancer, but I will not loose I am in it to win it" he said. We began to talk. I told him all about my mom and what happend. I promised that I would come by his room tomorrow and talk because he said he didnt have many friends. The night grew late I had to head back to the room.

My dad had asked for two twin rollaways to sleep on. I never noticed but Jake's room was right next to mine. His parents had gone home to get extra clothing so I sat in his room giving him company. "So Carter do you want to hear a joke about pizza?" he said. I nodded. "Nah its too cheesy, I would tell you one about Ice cream but it would give you chills." he said. I grined " I must say that was the first time in a while I have smiled." I said. " Me too, today was my first time getting kemo done." Then the sadness hit again. "I told you your mom will be okay and so will I."

Jakes parents returned and I met them, very nice, very carring they introduced them selves to my dad. As the night ended I thought more about what Jake said , how they both would be okay.

As morning roled around dad headed to get us some coffee and I waited for my grandparents to arrive. I went to say good morning to Jake and see how he was doing. "Morning Carter" he said with a grin. I replied mornig we talked about his dream for a few mintes. "I was healed it was amazing, no pain nothing, it will happen I know it will." He said. There was something about Jake that made me think about him. I wanted to say it was his eye, they were the color of the sky. "Excuse me Carter they are bringing your mom to her room now." My dad said as he handed me my coffee. "I'm on my way." It was at that time Jake grabed my hand and pulled me close to him. "Carter, she will be ok, God has a plan, if you ever need me I am right her." I replied thanks and I gave him a kiss on the forhead. It was a natural instinct I quickly ran off.

As I walked into the room I saw my grandparents sitting around the bed eyes full of tears as they looked at their helpless daughter lay in the bed. "Oh, Carter baby" my grandma said. "She will be okay." I huged them for the longest time. We all gathered around my mothers bed praying and talking about the stratagey. Christmas was only a week away. No one carried, we just wanted my mother awake. I grabed my mothers hand, which was cold and pail. The hardest thing to see her with wires everywhere and basically on life support. There was a knock on our door, Jake. "May I steal Carter for less than a minute please sir?" Jake asked. My father nodded with the attention toward my mom.Jake grabbed m hand and took me to the garden.

"This is my happy place, I go here when ever I am scared or sad, it makes me feel strong, like there is hope." he said. "There is hope Jake" I replied. 'You said so yourself." he gave me a grin. "Are you nervous about your surgery?" I asked. "No not really, what happends happpends," he said very seriously. His phone vibrated with a text from his mom saying time to get ready for his surgery. "Walk me back?" he ask. "Yes" I said with a cheesy grin. As we made it to his room he grew more scared. "I will be right here waiting for you when you get out." I told him.Jake grabbed my hands, his were cold and easly gave away how scared he was. He leaned in close to me "Hmmm maybe I should give you a " his mother cut him off "Jake has to go thank you Carter for calming him down , you may talk to me while he is in there if you liike, I would enjoy it." I agreed.

I sat talking to Jakes mother for about an hour then headed off to check on my own mother. "How is she " I asked. "Dr.Reed said she is on track. Carter I think your friend is out of surgry." When I turned around I saw Jakes mom in tears I sprinted over.

There was Jake with a smile on his face and very loopy because of his medicine. "The doctor said he did great, his cancer is gone." She said. "Thats amazing I am so happpy for you." I said giving her a hug.

As the night once again came to an end I desided to stay at the hospital with the rest of my family.I couldnt sleep and Jake texted me asking to go on a walk. I grabed my jacket and quietly opend the door. "Hey !" he said running at me picking me up and spinning me "the cancer is all gone," he said. At that moment everything just seemed right. Jake gave a big grin. "I am so happy I have you here to cheer me up, I honestly was so sad the night by the nursery and when I met you , everything changed." he said. It was so dark in the hall way I couldn't see much, but what I could see what Jake about to kiss me. "I think you to should probably get to bed right?" said Dr. Reed. Jake and I just couldn't get this one kiss in, first his mom now the doctor.

 "I am srry Carter... It seems like every time I try to give you a kiss something happens..." Jake sent this text as he walked back to his room.

"Im just glad your surgery went well" I said "Goodnight"