I wish you knew...

In 2001, Anne and Jeff Wills lost their son Ryan at just 9 months of age as the result of complications of pulmonary hypoplasia. In this article, they share their experiences and great wisdom to both acknowledge and educate nurses who care for children and their families. The Wills address the exhaustion, confusion, fear, anguish, sense of displacement, and sense of helplessness experienced by many parents of critically ill and hospitalized children. They discuss vital issues for all parents, including decision making, balancing medical care and family life, and a father's perspective. They express gratitude for kindness, caring, transparency, and support received from nursing and medical staff. Finally, they share their grief, hope, and the impact their son has on them to this day.