Dr. Knolls with Micah during surgery stay April 2007

The Walters’ family is richly blessed by a community of compassionate friends at the University of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.  We crossed paths with so many people who love and care from Micah.  One of the emergency room doctors was an intern during Micah’s Treatment #1.  It is probably because of his previous knowledge of Micah that things went so well in the ER.  One of the ER nurses was on that long first night in December 2006 when Micah was originally diagnosed.  She told me in the ER, that Micah was one of those patients she would always remember.  Dr. Knolls was walking through the ER, saw me and had to come back to see why Micah was there.  He was a first year resident on rotation during Micah’s extended stay, the first few months of 2007, then was the senior resident when Micah was on the surgery floor, twice, in the summer of 2008 – diagnosis #2.

Micah with Candice and Peggy

Micah couldn’t resist his imitation of Dr. Sexuar when he came in to tell us what was going on just before being transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  Dr. Sexuar is the Oncologist on rotation in the hospital for the remainder of the month.  We have seen him several times and we will see him often over the next several weeks.  “Good morning boys and girls.  Have any question/Have any answers.”

After being instructed to limit visitors in the PICU unit, I would look around to see any number of familiar faces.  Of course these were all medical professionals and were not limited by the rules of the ICU.  First friends to arrive were, of course, Micah’s Physical Therapists.  They love him so and have taken care of him for years.  Many of the Oncology nurses from the 10^th flood made their way down to 8 to check on Micah and share in our uneasy wait.  Our primary Oncologist, Dr. McNall came over from the clinic to check on Micah and share in our concern.  Both Cara and Erin, who were new Physician’s Assistants at the time of diagnosis #2, came to visit in the ICU.

Micah is enjoying the familiarity of being among loving friends.  He loves his nurses and the question of the day is always, “who’s going to be my nurse.”

There should be a better way to see Coach Stoops

For those of you who wonder why I am an OU fan, this is a picture of Coach Stoops with a friend of ours who is battling cancer for the third time. Bob Stoops knows that the real battles in life are not on the football field. (words from one of our friends whose daughter went to be with Jesus from the room next door to Micah a few years ago)

Micah was hardly settled back on the 10^th floor before his favorite OU coach came to visit.  Micah always enjoys his visits with Coach Stoops.    We certainly appreciate his willingness to bring joy to Micah and many others who are suffering from Childhood Cancer.  Coach Stoops has been faithful to visiting the Oncology Unit here at Children’s Hospital.  He also takes time to create special times for these patients outside to the hospital atmosphere.   Micah has attended the Bowl Game Celebrations in the Jimmy Everest Cancer Clinic.   Micah has also enjoyed being Coach Stoop’s special guest at Special Spectators Game Day, Media Day, and the OU Football Banquet.