Something is Wrong with Memaw

Bertha was sitting on the porch steps, staring at the empty rocking chair where Memaw used to sit. Memaw was in the hospital, and Bertha felt scared and alone. She couldn't understand why Memaw's belly was so sick. " - Will Memaw ever come back?" Bertha asked her mom, trying to hold back tears. - We hope so, dear. We just have to be patient, her mom replied.

At school, Bertha couldn't concentrate. Her thoughts kept wandering back to Memaw. During lunch, she asked her friend Sarah if she knew about diverticulitis. - Never heard of it, Sarah said, shrugging her shoulders. Bertha's confusion grew, and she felt more alone than ever. " - Maybe Memaw will never get better," she whispered to herself.

After school, Bertha decided to search for answers. She went to the library and looked for books about digestive systems. But the medical terms were confusing and only made her more worried. " - I can't understand any of this!" she exclaimed, overwhelmed. - Maybe you should ask someone who knows, a voice suggested from behind. It was the school librarian, Mrs. Thompson.

Bertha felt like giving up. She sat on her bed, cradling her favorite teddy bear. " What if Memaw never comes home?" she said aloud to the bear. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt a heavy weight in her heart. Then she remembered Mrs. Thompson's words. Maybe I do need to ask someone, she thought. The next day, Bertha visited the hospital with her mom. A friendly nurse noticed her worried face. , she thought. You look like you have questions, the nurse said kindly. Bertha nodded and asked about Memaw's condition.

The nurse explained the digestive system and Diverticulitis. The nurse said Memaw has small, bulging pouches inside her large intestine that have become inflamed and infected. The nurse explained food goes in our mouth, chewed by our teeth, swallowed by our esophagus before reaching our stomach. It then passes into our small intestine, the nutrients found in our food begins to be absorbed here. The nurse said any left over food that our body doesn't need is passed into the large intestine, where it comes out as Poop, Yuck! said Bertha. 'The nurse also gave Bertha handouts with pictures of all the different organs and their function. There are many different parts to our digestive system that I never knew about, said Bertha.

- So, Memaw needs time to heal," Bertha realized. Understanding more about Memaw's illness, Bertha felt a bit more at ease. She sat by Memaw's bedside, holding her hand. - I miss you, Memaw, she said softly. Memaw smiled weakly and squeezed her hand. Bertha promised to be patient and tolerant. She knew Memaw would return home when she was ready. Bertha explained what she had learned to Memaw about our digestive system. Bertha decided to become a nurse one day because of the kind nurse, she explained. The medical field would be a good fit for Bertha, Memaw thought.