Jasmina and I have started a tradition… a regular weekly call that is the highlight of my evening, a simple pleasure and a regular rendez-vous. It always includes a debrief of Sébastien’s past week. Christmas is in the air… I rush about hoping to find the perfect Christmas cards (or make them!) amid bathroom renovations we spontaneously decided to begin, but a phone call to Jasmina and I find her keeping track of Sébastien’s various tests, and happy in the little appartment that has become a cozy second home.
“Sébastien did well in his audiology test.”
“Audiology?”
“Yes, it’s a hearing test. He has an E.C.G. test on the 17th and he had his hematology test as well.”
So many terms are second nature now… “Sébastien went to the dentist!” Jasmina tells me. “He needs eight caps! Guess how much that would cost…” she asks me. Since Jasmina recently went to the doctor, also needing a few caps, I try to multiply an imaginary number and don’t even come close, venturing:
“Eight hundred?”
“Two thousand!”
“Oh my gosh!”
“He needs them because he grinds his teeth.” It’s Sébastien’s reaction to stress. Apparently the medical team following Sébastien’s case would have to decide whether his teeth take precedence over his kidneys or vice versa, as capping his teeth would mean an operation and general anaesthesia.
“Does he still have his infection?” I ask… It had started during their visit in October and had manifested itself in red circles on his skin. The infection is perhaps the only thing that is delaying Sébastien from getting onto the kidney transplant list. “They stopped the antibiotics. But Sébastien started having spots again and he wasn’t feeling too well for a few days.” Jasmina explains.
But, little inconveniences haven’t stopped Sébastien and Jasmina from getting out and advocating organ donation. Last Wednesday evening, Jasmina and Sébastien were special guests at a talk Linda Rumble was giving at the Ryerson University. “This Friday, we’re recruiting nurses!” Jasmina tells me. She’s already told me that her wish is to give talks to encourage organ donation… It’s just as equally moving for the audience to see Sébastien, alive after a liver and bowel transplant, as it is for Jasmina to show that with perseverance and determination, it is possible to extend a child’s life that – in another time, or in another country, would have been in peril of being too short.
On another note… Sébastien’s birthday is coming up quickly… We could all pitch in to pay him a set of caps… or, joking aside, we could adopt a creative project if you have some suggestions in mind to send me: jpalud at gmail dot com – I’m open to anything! Last year, we sent him an album of wishes with pictures from nearly everyone who knew him in Winnipeg. This year, he’s turning three and I hear that his Mama has a jungle themed birthday planned for her Monkey!
UPDATE: Sébastien is scheduled to go to the O.R. on Friday at noon to receive his eight caps. Have a thought for him!
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