My sister-in-law came to get me just as I lay down in the waiting room. I was freezing, exhausted and embarrassed that I needed the rest. She hurriedly helped me into the delivery room, watching my steps and containing her excitement in my fragile state. I was barely able to stand beside my wife, Deb, let alone offer any real form of support. When Deb?s water broke, we had to call our friend to drive us to the hospital because I couldn?t.
It?s heartbreaking being a spectator when your team needs you most. As I huddled under a blanket for warmth, my wife was sweating, pushing through the pain and screaming with each passing contraction. The doctors told me to sit down. Deb endured, and I held our daughter, Lily, as soon as she was born. They say that if you don?t fear death, you can?t appreciate life. I was definitely fearing death. Introducing her to Ben, our two-and-a-half-year-old son, was pretty much peak appreciation. ?How many eyes does she have"? he asked. ?Does she have a nose"? He responded shyly before saying ?This is a new hostible.? After visiting me at Toronto General, East General, Western and Princess Margaret, this one?St. Michael?s?was just another hospital. He had grown to love the up-and-down beds and free juice.
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