Extended Family

摘要

EACH NIGHT MY HUSBAND SHERIN AND I LISTEN TO THE hum of the air compressor, to the beeps from the pulse oximeter, and for weak calls for help from our 5-year-old son Ben while we try to get enough rest to attend to him, his two sisters, and our occupations the next day. The monitor we have installed in Ben's bedroom scarcely picks up his voice over the sounds of the three machines operating in his room, and, therefore, we half-sleep, afraid of not hearing him. Ben may need suctioning, repositioning, or soothing. About once a week a night nurse sits with Ben, and only then do we close our bedroom door.