Welcome to my Thursday blog. Today is the day that I am going to dedicate to thoughts. My own and others. Mondays are about training, Wednesday about charity, Fridays about food. Thursday will be thoughts – reflections from myself, guests posts, and the like. And today I would like to reflect on how precious life is. This hit home for me this week, as my roommate from college has been sitting in the Children’s Hospital in Aurora Colorado with her five year old son AJ as he battles H1N1.AJ Masse, age 5, from Colorado Springs AJ came home from kindergarten on Friday September 25th complaining of a scratchy throat. By Monday the 28th he was hospitalised, with kidney failure. Within one week of contracting the flu, AJ was on an ECMO (machine that takes over heart and lung function) to give his immune system as much chance as possible to fight the flu. He developed pneumonia, had a partially collapsed lung, and was battling for his life. By Monday he had suffered two strokes, with unknown consequences. Although AJ is now off life support, he has a long road to recovery ahead. His breathing is still laboured, and he is very fragile. I cannot tell you how many times I have said “It is just the flu”. In the last 10 years I have only had the flu one time, and sure, it was rough, but it only knocked me down for about a week. H1N1 seems different to me. It is impacting the young the hardest. It strikes down people who are otherwise healthy and fit. H1N1 is not “just the flu” – for me, now, it is a reminder that life is precious.The Masse Family: Meredith, AJ, and Don Please show your support for AJ Masse and his parents Don and Meredith by sending a a quick get well postcard to: The Children’s HospitalAttn: Alexander MassePICU Room #2213123 East 16th AvenueAurora, CO 80045USA If you are on twitter, please use the hashtag #fightAJ on your tweets to show your support for this little guy who has reminded me that life is precious.You can also follow AJ’s story by joining the Facebook Group set up for news and support. A fund is in the process of being established to help the family costs associated with his care and treatment. And please hug your friends and family a bit tighter today.Thank you.
Thoughts are with little AJ and his family, recover strong little man.