Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is a family favorite. Recently, while reading aloud before bed in anticipation of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, we thought, not only of all the places we hope our children will go. However, we also considered Oh, the Places We’ve Been…
You’re off to Rare Places!
You’re off and away! (Like it or not)
You have genes in your body.
and a rare disease to face
You steer yourself
in directions you don’t choose
You’ll look up and down google. Look it over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t want to click there.”
With your legs full of scars and your joints full of pain,
you wish for the smartest to keep you all sane.
And you may not find any
who’ll want to treat you.
Rare can scare doctors
Rare means something new.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU’VE GONE!
You’ve been admitted and poked!
You’ve had labs and IV frights!
You’ve transfused Christmas Eve right through midnight.
Sometimes, you’ve lagged behind, because you’ve lacked the speed.
You’ve cried with the gang and hoped for a new lead.
Wherever you’ve traveled, you’ve wanted the best of the best.
Wherever you’ve gone, you sometimes just want to rest.
I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
that Hang-ups and Bang-ups
have happened to you.
You’ve had some unpleasant bumps.
And you’ve been in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You have been to a place where the docs are not sure.
Some think to test this way and others want to treat that.
A place you could biopsy your groin or your chin! Thigh or ankle, please carefully pick.
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for some med-maker-uppers to make up their minds.
Sometimes you move toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a call to come
or a lab to process
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or the results to show.
Everyone is just waiting.
Oh, the places you’ve been!
But on you will go
though the needles be foul
On you will go
though your vessels may prowl
On you will go
though the dosage is due
Onward up many
a frightening path, too
though your legs may get sore
and your body feels weak.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to positively think.
And never mix up your white pills with your pink.
So…
be your name Kelsey or Maggie or Hallie
or Trey Ali Vanessa Anna Maria,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Show your stripes and get on your way!