Attached and Clingy

With almost 2 months since my 4 years old son got admitted in hospital, he became so attached and clingy to me.

Before I go to the bathroom, he would ask me: Where are you going? I say: I am going to the bathroom. He would ask back: What you will do in the bathroom?

I realized at that moment that he justifies the amount of time he needs to wait according to the task I will be doing in the bathroom. That is so clever and smart.

Also, when I go out for a day out, I leave him with his sisters and nanny. He would call me via video call several times and ask to stay in the video call longer. After I come back to him in the hospital, I ask him: Why you are calling me a lot while I am out? He says: Because I am bored. They don’t allow me to walk outside the hospital. But you do.

I can’t really pretend to be strong or tough here. I am also becoming attached and close to him. All other areas in my life lost value and priority and the focus and dedication is on him and his support and recovery.

I pray for all caregivers, parents, family members to hold on to hope, faith and belief. Wherever you are in the journey with your patient, remember the baby step concept. Take it one baby step at a time. Even if it is just drinking a sip of water, taking one slow and small foot step or sitting with your support. Those are small baby steps that would eventually turn into amazing milestones.