How much Fun Apra had at the Hospital

I told you yesterday that we really enjoyed a very nice stay at the hospital. And when saying this, I am also talking about Apra. In fact, I believe it was like a small holiday for her, full of excitement, new things to see and lots of fun.

I am not exaggerating when I say that she enjoyed it so much! It started already on our first visit last Wednesday when she entered the hospital and detected the big tiger sculpture they have lying in the lobby. Painted in red with blue stripes, it is a fascinating piece of art and from that day on, whenever she came by the lobby, she would go there, talk to the tiger, offer him some of her food, stroke him and on two occasions even kiss him.

She came by there with food quite often, as the hospital cafeteria is just next to the lobby. They don’t have a big variety of food but what they do offer is sweet corn – one of Apra’s favourites! I think over two days at the hospital she ate about six cups of sweet corn with butter and salt! And of course she had some ice-cream and that great fresh orange juice which I also love.

If you are thinking now that Purnendu and Ramona, who were both with me during the day, had to walk around the hospital with her the whole day long in order to keep her entertained, you are wrong. In fact, I believe she spent most of the time in our room. It was quite a spacious room with a small couch, a small bed for the attendant, a desk and a cupboard. And enough space for her to dance and sing! She painted, read books with Ramona, listened to Purnendu’s stories, played with her doll and toy sheep and watched with fascination what the doctors and nurses were doing.

Of course we had told her why we were at the hospital and what was going on. She was watching in awe when the nurse placed the cannula on my hand for giving me medicines directly into the veins. She listened to our explanation how the doctor had repaired my knee and since then has daily been playing ‘doctor’ with her doll.

She is not obviously in an age where the setting of the hospital would intimidate her and she just accepted the fact that we were there now for a night. She and Ramona slept in my room, with the couch pulled close to the attendant’s bed. While Ramona and I were awake a lot, she slept like a baby.

Not once did she cry for going home. Not once did she get annoyed about being in a foreign environment. She just enjoyed and had fun – and it was the greatest thing for me to have her there as well. How could you not forget your pain when your baby girl is dancing and swinging her hips next to your bed? How could you not get emotional when she gives you a kiss and strokes your cheek, asking you whether the doctor had fixed your knee?

Apra, baby, if you read this in some years, just know that you are one of the reasons that I got well as quickly as I hope I will. Because I want to dance with you, run with you or behind you, carry you around on our walks to the gate and let you climb around on me soon again!