Weathering Storms - And Healing - In NoLa

As Hurricane Gustav howled its way through New Orleans, there was only one truly safe place to be: Children's Hospital.

Fully staffed, and with fuel and food enough to last a month, the hospital wraps itself around its patients and their families like a cocoon, CBS News Early Show anchor Harry Smith reports.

"To be honest, it's been like a normal day here, in this room its been like a normal day," said Tracey Bayley. "So that has made it very easy for us - just mommy and son."

Bayley's son, Cameron, had open-heart surgery last Wednesday. Evacuating him would have been dangerous - and, frankly, unnecessary.

The hospital made it through Katrina with just two broken windows. The doctors and nurses move in, as do the families, so the healing continues.

"He's gonna be good for, ya know, a dozen years. He's gonna do really good and he's gonna thrive and grow and he's gonna be able to play," Bayley said.

Eleven-year-old Lexi Hayles has been at Children's for 42 weeks. Her mom, Lenora, was far more worried than she was.

"Were you worried at all when the storm was coming?" Smith asked Lexi.

She shook her head "no."

How come?

"I don't know - cause I like rain," she said.

Smith asked: "What about the wind, and everything else, though? You didn't worry?"

"No," Lexi said.

Making a hurricane day seem like any other day is part of why pediatric nurse Patty Cadella is there.

"I love being a nurse," Cadella said. "And it's important to me, and the babies can't leave, so we're here to take care of them."

She watches over Jude Trahan, born 15-weeks premature. It means the world to his father, Mike.

"We've peaked outside and looked around; all is going well in here," said Mike Trahan. "The staff is doing a great job of keeping everything running smoothly and not missing a beat."

Not missing a beat - in the heart of New Orleans.
  • Harry Smith


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