HOLIDAY IN THE HOSPITAL

If Santa Claus knows when you're sleeping and when you're awake, you can bet he also knows if you're sick and have to spend Christmas in the hospital.

Pediatric nurses at Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital said the man in red knows their addresses very well and returns every year to bring gifts and Christmas cheer to sick children.

"Oh, yeah, he'll be coming tomorrow morning for the one child we'll have on Christmas Day; it's a tradition," said Saint Francis nurse Karen Welker. "We also encourage parents to bring their gifts and things to the hospital and celebrate Christmas here."

Hospitals try to send as many children home for Christmas as they can, but unfortunately, some do have to remain hospitalized. Saint Francis only had one child for Christmas because he is in traction and must remain immobile; Southeast Hospital has three children, all suffering respiratory problems.

"Families are encouraged to bring Christmas to their kids when we have to keep them in the hospital," said Ruth Glastetter of Southeast Hospital. "The week of Christmas is not very busy because the doctors really try to send the kids home if possible."

The nurses said staff and civic organizations also do their part by decorating the pediatric wards and buying gifts for children hospitalized during the holidays. Many volunteers brought gifts to both pediatric wards this year, including the increasingly-popular Beanie Babies, they said.

Parents of two children hospitalized this Christmas said they are trying to make the best of a bad situation. John Sweet, whose son Zachary was injured when a construction barrier fell on him and snapped his femur during a recent shopping trip, said his family is not only in the hospital but also 80 miles from their home in Carbondale. It's hard on the entire family, he said, but they're all going to try and enjoy Christmas anyway.

"Christmas may not be great for us, but the hospital's been great," he said. "They're doing a lot for us. I'm very pleased with this hospital."

Van and Lisa Watkins of Puxico, whose 4-year old daughter Makayla has asthma and pneumonia, said this is the first year their daughter has understood all of the Christmas festivities. They said Makayla is happy for all of the gifts she's received while at the hospital, but she still wants to go home.

"She wants to be at home for Santa Claus," said Lisa Watkins. "We're telling her Santa will come here and we're going to have a party. That's exactly what we're going to do."