[MuddaMia]

(I am bawling--I think I have PMS) Wonderful story

[vamedic4]

Thank you so much for sharing that with us...now my coworkers are giggling because they see the tears in my eyes.

vamedic4

Originally Posted by mjlrn97

Just had to share this great story from work today.

Paul and Sylvia are a married couple living at my assisted-living facility. They've been there several years, and Paul's health has taken a huge nosedive in the past couple of months.........he's severely anemic, requiring blood transfusions every few weeks, and he's just gotten over his fourth bout of pneumonia since the first of the year. Sylvia, of course, knows that his time may be short, and she's not in the best of health herself; in fact, she and I have had some private conversations (not to mention hugs and a couple of good cries) about "later", and how we as a facility will support her and help her get through it.

Well, this morning a rumor got started that today was their 56th wedding anniversary, a story that was promptly confirmed by the couple, although they "didn't want any fuss made" and appeared to be almost embarrassed when the administrator announced it at lunch. Their sons and daughters had sent them a huge flower arrangement, so at least there was some acknowledgement of the day...........and then a couple of us staff members got to thinking about what we could do to help them celebrate for real. After all, we thought, how many anniversaries do Paul and Sylvia have left?

So I asked them if they had any plans; they said No, so I asked them where they'd go to eat if they DID have plans. Sylvia promptly mentioned a local place they both enjoyed, and off I went to see what we could do about it. Soon everybody was in on it: the administrator, the lead med aide, the office manager, the other staff.........everybody, that is, but Paul and Sylvia. A dinner was ordered for delivery by the chosen restaurant; somebody dug out some white Christmas lights to decorate with; I sent my hubby and the lead med aide to my house to dig out some of the decorations we used at our silver anniversary party last year.

Between the lot of us, the anniversary couple ended up with a dinner fit for kings, and a fancy table on the second floor balcony to sit at and be waited on by the administrative staff. There were fresh flowers picked right out of the garden out back; silver candles; roses and confetti arranged on the table; white twinkle lights festooning the balcony; even a festive dessert specially prepared for the celebrants.

To see the smiles on the faces of those two precious people made every bit of effort worthwhile. Sylvia was crying; Paul was doing everything he could NOT to cry, and they were both so happy and so surprised that they could hardly speak! We told them we wanted to have an anniversary to remember, and that's exactly what they got............they both said even if they lived another 20 years and forgot their own names, they would never forget this night.

And THAT'S why I love what I do.

[vamedic4]

Dang it Marla...now I just read the followup...it's like Niagra Falls back here. Thank you for everything you do to make their lives better.

vamedic4

[VivaLasViejas]

That's very sweet. Thank you.

Sorry if you got embarrassed by sniffling in front of your co-workers!

You know, the two of them haven't stopped smiling yet..........I went in to help out for a couple of hours today because we were short-staffed (always happens on a holiday weekend!! ) and there was a fall, a c/o chest pain, and a sudden illness, all within three hours of one another. My poor med aide was just beside himself........well anyway, Paul and Sylvia greeted me when I got there with HUGE hugs and said "Oh, everything's going to be OK now, Marla's here!" They've always liked me, but ever since the party, it's like we've formed this extra-strong bond that has completely cemented our relationship.

After what I went through at my last job, I've got to say that it's nice to know people have such confidence in me. It's a lot of pressure too, because I'm NOT God, and I'm NOT a miracle worker, and I'm certainly NOT perfect. But I must say that having this job, at this time, working with this group, is one of the highest honors my life has ever brought me...........even though I haven't had a single uninterrupted holiday weekend since I started!!

[dconnors]

That was a great story. I loved it.

[LoriAlabamaRN]

Beautiful story from a beautiful person.

[vamedic4]

Originally Posted by mjlrn97

That's very sweet. Thank you.

Sorry if you got embarrassed by sniffling in front of your co-workers!

Nope, not embarassed. I'm a softie anyway. It's just so nice to read a post like that and you hope (at least I do) that someday, someone would do the same for me.

Thanks again for sharing such a wonderful story.

vamedic4
My patient is asleep. Finally

[Hellllllo Nurse]

Marla, your post brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful.
It's these things that make it worth it.

[VivaLasViejas]

You all are very kind.

I just hope that somewhere a new nurse, nursing student, or even prospective nursing student will read this and think about a career working with the elderly. It's not all diapers and drudgery, as many outside of the field may think; this is our Greatest Generation, who survived the Depression, brought our country safely through World War II, and presided over times of prosperity and civil unrest, only to see much of what they worked for eaten away by inflation and medical expenses in their sunset years. And when they are all gone, there will never again be another generation quite like them. No one can take their places.

I also hope more people will consider geriatrics because my own generation is fast approaching its "golden years", and there aren't enough nurses to take care of us. No one knows exactly what sort of impact 76 million elderly will have on our country's economy, but almost everyone agrees that our care needs will overwhelm whatever resources are available.......unless, of course, our culture can somehow revise its youth-worshipping ways. Many other cultures revere their elders and treat them as valued members of society; if we are to accomodate the needs of upcoming generations of elderly, we must first learn to value the experience and wisdom they bring with them. Otherwise, growing old in America will become more and more something to be feared, as indeed a good many Baby Boomers believe in their heart of hearts, even now while we still have our health and a good ten to fifteen "productive" years ahead of us.

Stepping down off my soapbox now.

[Artis]

Originally Posted by mjlrn97

Just had to share this great story from work today.

Paul and Sylvia are a married couple living at my assisted-living facility. They've been there several years, and Paul's health has taken a huge nosedive in the past couple of months.........he's severely anemic, requiring blood transfusions every few weeks, and he's just gotten over his fourth bout of pneumonia since the first of the year. Sylvia, of course, knows that his time may be short, and she's not in the best of health herself; in fact, she and I have had some private conversations (not to mention hugs and a couple of good cries) about "later", and how we as a facility will support her and help her get through it.

Well, this morning a rumor got started that today was their 56th wedding anniversary, a story that was promptly confirmed by the couple, although they "didn't want any fuss made" and appeared to be almost embarrassed when the administrator announced it at lunch. Their sons and daughters had sent them a huge flower arrangement, so at least there was some acknowledgement of the day...........and then a couple of us staff members got to thinking about what we could do to help them celebrate for real. After all, we thought, how many anniversaries do Paul and Sylvia have left?

So I asked them if they had any plans; they said No, so I asked them where they'd go to eat if they DID have plans. Sylvia promptly mentioned a local place they both enjoyed, and off I went to see what we could do about it. Soon everybody was in on it: the administrator, the lead med aide, the office manager, the other staff.........everybody, that is, but Paul and Sylvia. A dinner was ordered for delivery by the chosen restaurant; somebody dug out some white Christmas lights to decorate with; I sent my hubby and the lead med aide to my house to dig out some of the decorations we used at our silver anniversary party last year.

Between the lot of us, the anniversary couple ended up with a dinner fit for kings, and a fancy table on the second floor balcony to sit at and be waited on by the administrative staff. There were fresh flowers picked right out of the garden out back; silver candles; roses and confetti arranged on the table; white twinkle lights festooning the balcony; even a festive dessert specially prepared for the celebrants.

To see the smiles on the faces of those two precious people made every bit of effort worthwhile. Sylvia was crying; Paul was doing everything he could NOT to cry, and they were both so happy and so surprised that they could hardly speak! We told them we wanted to have an anniversary to remember, and that's exactly what they got............they both said even if they lived another 20 years and forgot their own names, they would never forget this night.

And THAT'S why I love what I do.

What a lovely story and thank you for sharing!! This is what true nursing is about!! Its so nice to know that nursing is not all about working with mean nurses and crabby managers.
Thanks