Her presence turned a few heads as patients and visitors stole glances, so I quickly ushered her into the room. "Mom, I told you not to come all the way here. I'm really fine," I reassured her.

Phoebe removed her mask and gave me a stern look. "Should a mother wait until something really bad happens to come see her own child?" She pulled me gently around in circles and inspected me from every angle.

Seeing I was truly unharmed, Phoebe let out a sigh of relief. "I told you things ...