The Mamuad Family

Franchesca




Ronald McDonald House

The RMH Family Room at Kapiolani Medical Center

November, 2005

By Gene Davis

Rose Ann and Roger Mamuad of Waianae visit the RMH Family Room every day. Their 21-month–old daughter Franchesca is somewhere in the middle of inpatient treatment that may last six months and they want to be with Franchesca, their only child, as much as they possibly can.

Rose Ann and Franchesca at the RMH Family Room
Rose Ann and Franchesca at the RMH Family Room
“We hope she can be at home at least by Christmas,” said Rose Ann, as dad helped the precocious patient move around the Family Room despite her being hooked up to a portable intravenous rack.

It’s certainly not easy for someone in the Mamuad’s situation. Being at the hospital every day keeps them an hour’s drive from home, family and friends. Rose Ann is juggling her night classes and Roger, his job as an alignment technician at Lex Brodie’s in Waipahu.

For the Mamuads, the RMH Family Room has been a blessing. “Our daughter has lived over half her life in the hospital,” said Rose Ann. “So she really loves coming here to this room with us because it’s very different from the hospital surrounding it. It reminds her of home.”

“She asks to come to the Family Room,” added Roger. “She eats better when we feed her here, she loves to crawl around on the carpet and play with the toys.”

Rodger and Franchesca
Rodger and Franchesca
Another important way Rose Ann and Roger say they utilize the Family Room is to use the computer and Internet connection to stay in touch with friends and family via e-mails. “Also, this is a great place to get together with other family members who come to visit Franchesca,” Roger said. “And when Franchesca is taking a nap, Rose Ann and I can take a break together here and have a soda and a snack.”

“Not in the noisy cafeteria but here in this calm, quiet place,” said Rose Ann, gesturing to the surroundings. “If we want, we can watch a DVD or spend time talking with other parents who are going through the same thing we are.”

“We are really grateful for the Family Room and we deeply appreciate the helpful, supportive volunteers who each day show that they really care.” §

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