A moment to vent

Ever have one of those days where you just need time to vent? Well this is one of those times so I'm sorry for the rambling and complaining. I've been so emotional this past week as I have returned to work part time. As many of you know I work the pediatric intensive care unit at Sunrise hospital and of coarse my first day back I'm greeted with the 4th drowning victim of the summer. I have seen so many horrible tragedies these past five years but I'm always taken back by drownings. It's something to me that is so inexcusable and 100% preventable. As far as I'm concerned I don't even consider them accidents. An accident is something that couldn't of been prevented it just happens. Well drownings should never happen. They scream negligence and are outright heartbreaking to see. In this particular case a 7 month was found in the swimming pool by the nanny and the mother. Supposedly the mother fell asleep on the floor with the child and they have no idea how he ended up outside. It's possible that he went through the doggie door or a door was left open. The child was under for at least 30 min. After performing CPR for 1 1/2 hours a pulse was finally obtained. This sweet little spirit will now spend the rest of his life brain dead. You haven't seen nothing until you look in the beautiful eyes of a child that has suffered through this tragedy. A child that once was so vibrant and full of life is left expressionless and lifeless. They look as though their spirit and soul have vanished and they are left trapped in a body with a young and vibrant heart that may continue to beat for years to come. Anyways, that's completely beside the point. The main point is there was no gate or fence around the pool. I'm sorry to stand on a soap box but please please if you don't have gate around your pool get one. After several conversations with my mother this was my breaking point and they are finally getting one around their own pool. Every time my family watches my children I have panic attacks. I know that they are well taken care of but the bottom line is if there is no gate there is a risk for a drowning. I can't think of anything in this world more tragic than to see a beautiful child that has fell victim to negligence. I understand why we never had a gate growing up. We were all 10 and above when my parents built their pool so there was never a thought to get one. I caution anyone who doesn't have one to put one up right away. The death toll at sunrise is already 3 children and 1 that will remain in a vegetative state completely brain dead for who knows how long. This count is only the beginning as summer hasn't even officially started yet. The sad thing is I have seen children come in that have drown at friends, grandparents, and neighbors homes. The good news is this would never happen if children were of coarse watched but if fences or gates were up. I understand that many people think that as long as they watch their children closely this won't happen. I'm sad to report that it only takes a couple minutes to not be paying attention. These are horrible circumstances that happen to good loving parents. Anyways, I'm sorry for the depressing entry. I'm sitting at work right now and I just couldn't hold it in any longer. I will post a happy entry later with updates of my sweet little ones. Until then please please buy a gate or don't have a swimming pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!