Life Lessons I Learned at Children’s Hospital

July 10, 2012 by Ari Schultz

These days I think of myself as a 2000 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo. (You were probably just thinking that, too, right?) Stunning and sleek, the ladies love me. I can go from zero to 60 faster than you can say intracardiac wires, but I’m delicate, so be gentle. Try to test my limits and I’ll be back in the shop needing more replacement parts.

It seems the doctors feel the same way, because now that I’ve been doing quite well for a week or so, nobody wants to push me. They’re taking me off of breathing support and medications slowly. I mean slow for realz, slow like a bale of turtles charging through a vat of Nutella. Goodbye Speed Racer, hello Rollin’ With My Homies.

Meanwhile, I’m doing swell. I asked my doctor what he thinks is going to happen.

I said doctor…DOCTOR! Mr. M.D. DOCTOR! (Just kidding.)

He said after I move out of CICU – minimum of 10 days, maximum of by the time the Cubs win the World Series – we move to a regular hospital room and focus on eating and weight gain. Though he is by no means certain, he expects my heart to cooperate enough for me to bust out of here, start growing and, within a year or two, only be on Aspirin for medication. And, of course, come back for new valves periodically when I need them.

Being on the slow boat to China here has given me a lot of time for reflection. When you get to be my age, you do this a lot. Someday you’ll understand.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share with you a few of the life lessons I learned while being here at Boston Children’s Hospital.

1. Be kind. Everyone is nice to me here. I have a lifetime to return the favor to others. So do you.

2. Stick up for yourself. Sometimes it’s the right time for the littlest Who in Whoville to start Yopping.

3. Stick up for others. Not everyone can Yopp for themselves. If it’s the right thing to do, Yopp for them, even if it means you find yourself in the soup.

4. Give to charity. Start with the Ellianna Grace Foundation. They help families who need fetal cardiac intervention like I did.

5. Sing songs. This makes everything better. Here are the 5 songs dad sings to me: True Colors (Cyndi, not Phil), Sad Songs and Waltzes (Cake, not Willy), Overkill (live acoustic, not 80s studio), Tell all the People, and Can’t Get it Out of My Head. Which, of course, I can’t get out of my head. Ironical, no?

6. Let your True Colors shine through. Don’t be afraid. Let them show.

7. You catch more hot nurses by being nice than playing hard to get. I mean you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Something like that.

8. Say the nice things that come to mind. I really like it when everyone says, “Ari’s so cute. Ari is such a good baby. Ari should turn his blog posts into a book.” I don’t like it so much when they say, “Ari looks like crap today.” I heard that, yo! And it stings…to the bone, man, to the bone.

9. Give praise when it’s warranted. Nice job on the fetal interventions, dream team. Nice job on the valves, Dr. MacGuyver. Nice job on the bath last week, hot nurses.

10. Be prepared at your 18 week ultrasound. It could save your child’s life.

11. Don’t freak out when life throws you a curve ball. They told me I needed a second open heart surgery. People were surprised when I didn’t react one way or the other, and it turned out just fine. So far…

12. Don’t be so busy looking for gold that you miss the silver lining. Having kids doesn’t always turn out like you think it’s going to, but then you end up with a darling son like me. See…silver lining.

13. All poop is to be measured and tracked for volume, color, and texture from here until the end of time. Everybody does this, right?

14. Wonder at life. Given everything I’ve just been through, I feel like I’ve been seeing things with fresh eyes again, discovering what the world has to offer like I’m learning it all for the first time. When you’ve been around as long as I have, this isn’t so easy. If I can do it, you can, too.

15. When you come to a fork in the road, take it. (Thanks, Dr. T.)

16. If you find yourself going through hell, keep going. (Thanks, Winston Churchill.)

17. And, finally, this love thing is where it’s at. I get the warm fuzzies when mommy and daddy say, “I love you.” Could be that or the Ativan, but why split hairs. Make sure you tell people that you love them. After all, it’s what we’re here for.

Later peoples.

Posted in Uncategorized | 33 Comments

33 Responses

on July 13, 2012 at 5:42 pm | Reply EP

Great news! Happy for you all. EP
on July 13, 2012 at 1:22 pm | Reply mark

Ari, your blog brings sunchine to the Sunshine State, :o) You are truly a messenger (mashiach) of love, hope and resilience. God bless you and your family.
on July 13, 2012 at 12:41 pm | Reply ateisner

So thankful to God that your little one is doing so remarkably well! Blessings to little Ari and to you all! Mark and Anne-Todd Eisner
on July 12, 2012 at 8:19 pm | Reply marcie

absolutely amazing, love the blog!!!! (((HUGS)))) Ari!
on July 12, 2012 at 6:03 pm | Reply Steph and Izzy Holender

We’re so glad to hear that Ari is doing better. He’s so inspiring and this blog has really been a great reminder to keep perspective on what matters most. He’s such an amazing little guy and you guys are in our thoughts
on July 11, 2012 at 9:31 pm | Reply Mary Jane Mulholland

Thanking God for your wonderful progress and sending prayers for your continuing health and happiness. That beautiful smile of yours fills my heart with love!
on July 11, 2012 at 2:05 pm | Reply Amy

Hooray for Ari! We are SO happy to hear this great news!!!
on July 11, 2012 at 1:16 pm | Reply Timothy Penziner

Love it!
on July 11, 2012 at 12:47 pm | Reply judygoldberg

Ari, you (and your parents) are truly amazing and inspiring. And blessed! I think about you every day-I have adopted you and your family in my heart. You’re the best-keep on keeping on!
on July 11, 2012 at 8:34 am | Reply Bill Strait

You said it all Mr. Dan Cohen a true & staight foreward Seirenkai LEADER.
Bill Strait Ossu!
on July 11, 2012 at 8:17 am | Reply Greta roberts

Fantastic, extraordinary, wonderful news! Happy. Happy. Happy.
on July 11, 2012 at 6:42 am | Reply edmascari

We’re all routing for you Ari-your mom & dad too.
Come home soon!
on July 11, 2012 at 12:24 am | Reply Alicia Krueger

Love it! 🙂 Always thinking of you and praying for all 3 of you.
on July 10, 2012 at 11:56 pm | Reply sigrid lamm

Keep up the good healing, Ari. Love reading GOOD news about you. Hugs from Benjamin’s great aunt, Sigrid
on July 10, 2012 at 10:07 pm | Reply Sally Wiley

love it!! Made me laugh as usual.
on July 10, 2012 at 9:20 pm | Reply Judy McCarthy

Hey Ari, You don’t know me, but my brother and his wife know your Grammie from Maine. You have the sweetest smile, and as long as you can keep smiling you have the world by the tail! I just recently started reading the blogs(isn’t that a silly word, blog?) that your daddy is writing and I admit that I am hooked!
Sending you positive thoughts, lots of prayers, and in case you don’t get enough-some gentle hugs. Thinking of you every day, your new friend, Judy
on July 10, 2012 at 6:42 pm | Reply Grammie Linda

Hey Ari, Grams coming down tomorrow and we can learn to play cards, thought you’d like to learn to sit up too. Guess who love you xxx
on July 10, 2012 at 6:35 pm | Reply Kathy Ettinger

Hey, Ari!! You sure made my day. ‘Been wonderin’ where you’ve been. Keep on plugging little man. I love you!!!! Mmm-waaa!
on July 10, 2012 at 6:24 pm | Reply Benjamin B

Love you, sweet Ari-bro
on July 10, 2012 at 6:15 pm | Reply Missy

Hi Ari! All my horsy friends send their love. We’re looking forward to giving you rides real soon! Hugs from Horse World!
on July 10, 2012 at 5:29 pm | Reply Nicole Travers

Ari, the next time someone says you look like crap give them a raspberry (mommy or daddy can teach you). Actually there’s a much better response but you’ll need to get your fine motor skills down before you try that one 🙂
on July 10, 2012 at 4:31 pm | Reply Mary Nordberg

Ari, You are a beautiful, and inspirational little man! Lots of love to you and your family.
on July 10, 2012 at 4:28 pm | Reply Holli

Go Ari! You’re a rockstar as always
on July 10, 2012 at 4:20 pm | Reply anna8356

From Greenville SC, love and prayers coming to you, Ari!
on July 10, 2012 at 3:50 pm | Reply Rachel Nusbaum

Hi Ari! Thank you for spreading the good word. I’m so happy to see your smiling face. Thinking of you and your family.
on July 10, 2012 at 3:44 pm | Reply Mary

Way to go, Ari! So many life lessons in such a short time. You amaze and inspire.
on July 10, 2012 at 3:44 pm | Reply Lin (Benjamin's grandma)

Lots of love to you, little man. You are an inspiration.
on July 10, 2012 at 3:43 pm | Reply Judy Goguen

Ari, I love you! 🙂
on July 10, 2012 at 3:34 pm | Reply Jessica Lindberg

Ari – it warms my heart that you are hanging tough. Keep Moving Forward! Keep going and keep showing everyone there what an amazing little boy you are. Tell Dr. Ravi we say hello. He is one very special guy. He will take you through the next phase slowly, but trust me, he knows exactly what he is doing. I like to think of him as a miracle worker. One of the best souls in that unit. We think about you every day.
on July 10, 2012 at 3:33 pm | Reply Auntie Sandi

Brilliant! I love you all. Auntie Sandi
on July 10, 2012 at 3:11 pm | Reply erhunter

Ari,
Your courage is inspiring. I’m talking “The Giving Tree” type of inspiration. Of course, I’d like to only come back to visit favorite nurses and the Dream Team but if any of my future visits to CHB (or is it BCH?) result in an overnight stay, I hope to have your same outlook. Until then, my Mom says to tell you that other than me (who she’s requires to put in the #1 spot), you are her favorite little man. She doesn’t even mind your recreational (I mean, therapeutic) drug use. Get well soon, buddy. And then come South. Warm
weather means the college girls are always in shorts. 😉
George (aka, WSTGH (according to Dr T.))
on July 10, 2012 at 3:09 pm | Reply Patt

Ari, I just love your blog!!! I am so glad you are doing well, albeit slowly!!! Slow and steady wins the race. And Mike, I want an Ari-autographed copy of the book when it comes out!!!!
on July 10, 2012 at 3:09 pm | Reply Mike & Sigalle Reiss

🙂 Best news of the day.