[Franemtnurse]

Originally Posted by missnurse1

We were quite confused about why she didn't call for help earlier too but she really just thought he had the flu, I think she may have had alzheimers, she couldn't live alone after he died. Sad... When we would try to ask her which funeral home to call she replied, "you had better ask him, he makes all those kind of decisions." She just really didn't understand.

Poor dear dear widow now. How very sad. I wonder if she realizes where she is now. Does she have any other family?

[missnurse1]

Yeah she has some family in the area, I know that because we had to call them to come sit with her after we left... Didn't think we should leave her alone. I have seen her once since then at the town hall with I think her son? (yearly town Bingo)... Anyways, I believe she lives in one of LTC facilities in town. I don't think she realizes where she is or what has gone on though, still quite confused as far as I could tell... Probably alzheimers, this just happened this last fall.

[missnurse1]

At the scene when the family got there it got even sadder, I believe it was the son (could have been son in law) was upset because he had not checked on them all week. Kept telling us how busy he was and figured everything was ok since he had not heard from them. Said he always checks on them but just got tied up with work and getting ready for the holiday. Lots of reassurance and listening needed there...

[Diahni]

Missnsurse1,
One of the occupational hazards of being in the health biz is that we forget a lot of people don't have any training. I remember a guy showing me a big sore on his hand - it had been a small scape and had turned into, well, you know. Hard to believe that he didn't know to clean and cover his boo boo, but this is true. Maybe the wife just didn't know what she was dealing with. With all the public service announcements out there, many people will ignore the signs of a stroke, at their own peril. Same thing. I'd like to think parents teach their kids basic health info, but many don't. Along with financial management, maybe a simple health course should be taught in school. Oh, yeah, I forgot, there isn't the money for frivolous stuff in schools anymore.
Diahni

[Franemtnurse]

Originally Posted by missnurse1

Yeah she has some family in the area, I know that because we had to call them to come sit with her after we left... Didn't think we should leave her alone. I have seen her once since then at the town hall with I think her son? (yearly town Bingo)... Anyways, I believe she lives in one of LTC facilities in town. I don't think she realizes where she is or what has gone on though, still quite confused as far as I could tell... Probably alzheimers, this just happened this last fall.

I feel bad for the SIL then. He probably feels guilty. But I thank you for the update. That made me feel better.

[Franemtnurse]

Originally Posted by Diahni

Missnsurse1,
One of the occupational hazards of being in the health biz is that we forget a lot of people don't have any training. I remember a guy showing me a big sore on his hand - it had been a small scape and had turned into, well, you know. Hard to believe that he didn't know to clean and cover his boo boo, but this is true. Maybe the wife just didn't know what she was dealing with. With all the public service announcements out there, many people will ignore the signs of a stroke, at their own peril. Same thing. I'd like to think parents teach their kids basic health info, but many don't. Along with financial management, maybe a simple health course should be taught in school. Oh, yeah, I forgot, there isn't the money for frivolous stuff in schools anymore.
Diahni

You are so right. I was a CPR instructor for several years. Whenever possible, I told my classes to tell their friends and relatives how important that was. Then when I was in nursing school, I went to our local WalMart one early evening, and all of a sudden I heard a young woman yelling; "Help! Help please! My daughter has something caught in her throat!The entire staff, including the people at the registers looked around in bewilderment, not knowing what to do. I immediately went behind her, leaned down on the floor on my knees, placed my arms around the little girl's waist, and told her I was there to help her. I then gave a good hard thrust, but her airway was still partially blocked. So I gave a second thrust, and out popped a large I think it was one of them gum balls you get for 25 cents, and it rolled across the floor under the candy counter. The little girl then ran to her mom who picked her up, and I left the store with a smile on my face. After telling my friend the story, she asked me if I waited for the mom to thank me, and I told her I didn't. She then asked; "You mean you didn't even give the mom a chance to thank you?" I said I didn't, then she said; "You just became that mom's angel story." I told her that was alright, I just didn't want to be in the limelight. I bet that mom and others took a CPR course after that though. I was just glad I was there when that happened.

[mom2bears]

Originally Posted by TDub

In English: "Pardon me, nurse, but this cervidil tape (hit) has fallen out of my vagina. Allow me to place it in your bare hand."

[Dental Hygienist]

I've enjoyed reading all these yukky stories so far, but this was the first one to actually make me physically dry heave. I'm still gagging as I write this...

Originally Posted by navynurse29

:hatparty: :hatparty:

I've got a gross one. I've worked in an ER and I can handle just about any body fluid (and have) except earwax. Earwax grosses me out. Was working in an ER in Puerto Rico while in the Navy and we had homeless dependent uncle or some relation come into ER c/o trouble hearing. On exam, doc found both ears severly packed with thick, green earwax. YUMMMMEY!

Well, yours truly gets to irrigate his ears, not the thrill of my life. I irrigated so much earwax out of that man's ears, it was coming out in big, green nuggets. When I showed pt emesis basin of what I had cleaned out of his scuzzy ears, he proceeds to get a big smile on his face, picked up one of the greasy nuggets and eats it!!! YUCK! I just about pucked on myself with that one. To this day, can barely clean my own ears!

Kudos....this story is in 1st place for me (so far)

[aussiemags]

Havent had a chance to read through all the 125 pages of replies so far.............but this story has always stayed with me. Came to me via a physiotherapist who had attended a patient for some chest physio, you know, to help bring up the phlegm. The patient was able to produce about a cup full of the stuff. Later the physio went to collect the cup only to discover the patient had drunk it.

[chuckc]

Originally Posted by aussiemags

Havent had a chance to read through all the 125 pages of replies so far.............but this story has always stayed with me. Came to me via a physiotherapist who had attended a patient for some chest physio, you know, to help bring up the phlegm. The patient was able to produce about a cup full of the stuff. Later the physio went to collect the cup only to discover the patient had drunk it.

No way, GAACK