Goodbye My Friend....

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Goodbye My Friend......

Many years ago on my very first evening on PCU (Progressive Cardiac Care), I vividly recall thinking that the absolute worst decision I ever should have made was accepting respnsibility for the care and maintenance of critically ill patients.

Each furtive glance toward cardiac monitors alive with foreign squiggles dancing across the screens brought forth new waves of nausea and doubt. Conversely, every boldly confident staff member impressed me with immeasurable respect. Quite frankly, I was scared silly.

Lost in anxious thought amidst that hectic scenario, I was totally unprepared for the slap on the back which jolted me back to reality, or the petite and pretty dynamo who delivered it.

"Hi there kid, I'm Nance, wlelcome to the zoo.!" She laughed and took me by the hand. Suddenly I was launched into my career in critical care. Just like that. And that is how I met Nancy, (known to all of us as Nancy nurse.).

Shortly afterwards, completely overwhelmed with the crazy pace, ever sounding alarms and my own insecurity and ignorance of routine, I felt another gentle tap on the shoulder, accompanied by a wink and wide grin.

"Hey kid," I figured you were busy and late getting around to hanging my IV med." ( I had completely overlooked it and she knew it). Another wink, an impish smile and a brand new friend.

Throughout the many years we worked together, it was apparent to me that despite seemingly insurmountable odds, Nancy remained the same loving, compassionate friend to everyone as she had been to me that first day. Loved by her patients, she was not only an excellent nurse, she was an exceptional person as well. In fact, she was among a select few to whom I would have entrusted my life in a health crisis. And no one laughed heartier or gave better hugs...

Jokingly, despite her critical care expertise, Nancy ( and others who shall remain nameless), would often deliver an on target assessment and diagnosis followed by a smirk and the line, " But I'm ONLY an LPN."

That was to become lighthearted banter between those who worked together, but never officially recognized the difference.

Those acquainted with Nancy surely enjoy varied and special memories of her. Personally, I was always struck with her energy for life and the courage she continually demonstrated in the face of some severely challenging circumstances. Friend to many, Nancy was also a devoted mom to three daughters, her greatest treasures...She remains someone who will forever occupy a special place in my heart and, I am certain, in the hearts of all who knew her.

Like an amazing sunset or sunrise blazing bright orange, gradually settleing into hues of pinks and purples seeping silently toward the city, or autumn leaves afire with color, and that one last glimpse of summer sun, magnificent moments in time pass only in an instant...

When life is lost or wounded, as a brid struck from the sky in midflight, it's as if the rain will never end, and the world seems dark and lonely, the door braced shut against wicked winter wind; the heart as icy as February snow...

Thank you Nancy, for the all too brief but magical speck of time you shared with us.. Wherever you are, dear friend, we wish you only wonder and starlight, always...

And, by the way, Nancy Nurse, you weren't JUST an LPN, you were a GREAT LPN...

written in loving memory of Nancy Torres Grant

3/9/50-8/31/94

by her friend and then co worker,

Martha Crowninshield O'Brien Rn

September 1, 1994

[Noney]

Have you shared this with her family? I'm sure they would like it. I know I do.

Noney

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

What a beautiful tribute to your friend......I hope you will share what you've written with her loved ones, it will be of immense comfort to them.

Nancy must have been a terrific person. Please accept my condolences for your loss.

[jemb]

What a lovely tribute to your friend.

[Bambi]

Nancy sounds like someone I'd wish I could have known, what an amazing woman and a wonderful tribute to her life.

[night owl]

That was so beautifully written. She certainly must have been one heck of a gal. My condolences for such a great loss.

[bluesky, BSN, RN]

I am so glad that her memory and love have found such a great caretaker as you. She's what we all aspire to be.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

Originally posted by bluesky

I am so glad that her memory and love have found such a great caretaker as you. She's what we all aspire to be.

Amen to that. (((WARM HUGS)))

[opalmRN]

The profound impact this dear woman had on you and those whose lives she touched is so special.

I can only hope I have a "Nancy" touch my life in this way.

C

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Nancy and I worked together for 7 years...At the end of my time on that unit, I was the charge nurse...It never could have happened without her ( and many other nurse's) help....

Tragically, as her life was just getting together, she fell asleep on the way home from work one night and had a fatal car accident..Those of us on duty that night didn't know it until she came into the ER....We were all devastated...I wrote that tribute and was so affected by Nancy, and all she had been through in her life, and immediately submitted it to our then local paper, never thinking they would print it. I wanted Nancy to NEVER be forgotten.....Later, I received a beautiful letter from her parents and remain in touch all these years later with her daughters, who each have the tribute framed and tell me they continue to elicit comfort from it.....If all I can do is cause a truly memorable person never to be forgotten, then I feel so blessed.. Thankyou for allowing me to share my works with all of you...Lately I have been doing some cleaning and coming across pieces I had forgotten about so you all get to be my guinea pigs.....Or at the very least, my important critics! Thanks again...

[beckymcrn]

You wrote a beautiful tribute.

My sympathies for not only your loss but for the loss of a mom and a truely great Nurse