By Maggie Downs
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jessica White, a registered nurse who worked Christmas Day, stops for a chat in Ben Bradley's room. Ben had surgery earlier in the week. (Glenn Hartong photo)

CORRYVILLE - Sickness doesn't take a day off for holidays.

Neither does nurse Jessica White, 23.

White offered to work the Christmas shift at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, in hopes of making some young spirits brighter.

"I want to be here for them," said White, of Greendale, Ind. "As much as we become their family, they become a part of our family."

A nurse with some administrative duties in the adolescent unit, White typically works 3 to 11 p.m.

But she offered to work the difficult-to-fill Christmas morning shift, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year the unit had 14 patients. Last year, four children stayed over Christmas.

Some of the children suffer from chronic diseases, like sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis. The children, White said, understand their medical conditions and tend to be more comfortable in the hospital, even during the holidays.

"But the newer patients, you can see it in their faces," she said. "They're super-bummed."

That describes Benjamin Bradley, 11, who checked in on Monday for a complicated bowel surgery. On Christmas, he remained in his hospital bed, watching cartoons.

Benjamin was hoping to be discharged that afternoon. But first, he had to keep down some food. His Christmas morning choice was a bowl of Fruit Loops.

"I want to go home," said the small bespectacled boy. "I miss my cat."

White tried to elevate the mood by chatting and playing a quick game of Boggle with him. Her easy laugh quickly wheedled a smile out of Bradley.

"Being here is a reality check," White said. "Some of these kids are so sick and have to take five pills every time they eat."

Across the hall, Danielle Long, 16, was recovering from a spinal fusion surgery. The Finneytown teen has been living at the medical center since Dec. 8.

Danielle had a stack of presents from the hospital staff, (every child receives a bag for Christmas), but hers had yet to be opened. She made a deal with her physical therapist - no gifts until she sat up in bed.

The goodies from her relatives were a different story.

"It's a little depressing to be here, but my family is great," she said. "They've decided to leave the tree, leave the presents. We're putting off Christmas until I can come home."

Danielle isn't expected to leave the hospital until the New Year. But she said nurses like White make the stay bearable.

"They do a good job of helping you feel not so alone," she said.

"I'm working with people who are all here for the same reason," White said. "We all want to help children."

"The people here are always really nice. And they like being here," Danielle said. "So they always have the Christmas spirit, even when it's not Christmas."

E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com