6/4/2011 11:05pm

It’s typical weekend in the hospital. Not a whole lot going on, a bunch of kids were discharged, so it’s pretty empty.

Cole continues to eat well and is becoming more alert. He was up for a good hour and a half today, totally content with hanging out. The results from his ultrasound came in and they couldn’t see the bile duct between the liver and the intestine. Maybe they just missed it? Maybe it’s too small for them to see? Maybe it’s not there and is hiding because of AGS? This was all coming from the fellow cardiologist who talked to GI and probably doesn’t even know what AGS is. Our GI doctor will stop by on Monday to talk it over with us and she might want more testing. Until then, we aren’t thinking much about it.

Cole was supposed to be transferred down today but, it didn’t happen.Maybe tomorrow.

Both nurses today were nothing to write home about… unless you were complaining to your parents about them and how they aren’t that good, or seem to care all that much. Thinking back, the nurses on the other side of the room were loud, rude, and offensive. I’d think it was a weekend thing but, I saw a few nurses working we had before.

On Saturday nights and all day Sunday you are not allowed to park at the Ronald Mcdonald House garage. It’s really hard to get a spot on the street around the building so, I decided to just leave the car and either take the shuttle back or catch a cab. Well, we found out something new tonight. If you miss the Ronald Mcdonald shuttle, CHOP security will take you there for free. Just don’t expect to leave all that quickly during a shift change…

Some interesting stats from The Ronald Mcdonald House website.

A dime here. A quarter there. It might not seem like much. But when millions give, the amount those coins help children and families worldwide is truly amazing.

The RMHC Donation Boxes are one of our biggest ongoing fundraisers. It’s from people like you filling the Donation Boxes with nickels, dimes and quarters. Last year alone, nearly $25 million was collected.

Just how powerful is the small change dropped into the Donation Box?

1. If every McDonald’s customer donated a penny in the Donation Box, it could raise over $116 million to support children in need and their families worldwide.
2. A full Donation Box could let a family stay together at a Ronald McDonald House for up to 1 night while their child receives care at a nearby hospital.
3. A full Donation Box could provide a child with a dental screening in a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.
4. Change in the Donation Boxes can give families a place to rest in a Ronald McDonald Family Room, just steps from their child’s hospital bed.

Show your support when you see a Donation Box at a McDonald’s, and drop in your spare change. Spread the word and suggest to your friends and family that they do the same.

Ronald McDonald Houses are stocked with toys and all the essentials of home for the children and families staying there to enjoy and use.

Keeping Ronald McDonald Houses fully stocked depends on the help of the community though, and we want to make sure they have everything they need. Here are some items that Houses can generally use, but we encourage you to contact your local House program to get specific lists.

Toys

Because Ronald McDonald Houses serve so many children and families, we only accept new, non-handmade toys.

• Board games
• Stuffed animals and dolls
• Books for various reading levels
• Puzzles
• Video games (rated E)
• Movies (rated G)
• Balls and outdoor games

Food

We want to make it easy for families to have meals and snacks without worrying about grocery shopping.

• Canned goods
• Non-perishable food items

Shopping List

Houses need the same products as your home, but they need them in bulk because several families stay in a House every night.

• Paper products (facial tissue, toilet paper, paper towels)
• Trash bags
• Aluminum foil, plastic wrap and sandwich bags
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener
• Cleaning products (sponges, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher detergent)
• Bath and bedroom items (towels, shower curtains, sheets and pillow cases)
• Personal care products (deodorant, dental floss, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner)
• Entertainment products (games, movies, books, art supplies)
• Long-distance phone cards
• Gift cards for local grocery stores and gas stations
• Greeting cards and postage stamps
• Gift certificates to local grocery stores and department stores (Target, Wal-Mart, etc)
• Transportation vouchers (buses, taxis, trains)
• Passes to museums, cultural and sporting events

Contact the Chapter in your area to get a specific wishlist for your local House.