He replied, "My lovely wife."

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Infusion.

Before I go to bed, I just wanted to share with you guys something that happened to me the other day.

I walked by one of my patient's room (he was DNR, comfort measures only, etc) and noticed he was speaking to someone. Thinking it was his daughter (who I was expecting at anytime to visit), I entered the room to find him alone. When I asked to whom he was speaking, he replied 'my lovely wife'. Knowing he was a widower, I asked him if she was with him at that moment. He squeezed my hand and told me she was just letting him know that she had everything ready for him and he could come at any time. I swear I got the biggest lump in my throat.

Later that day he quietly passed. When I shared what he had said with his daughter, she just smiled through her tears and gave me the tightest hug.

Just had to share.

Sherri

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Awwwwww...that is sooooo precious, Sherri! Thanks for sharing that! I have oftentimes overheard patients talking to family members who had already passed during their own expected demise. It's an awesome experience to be at their bedside when they are doing this, too. :kiss :)

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Specializes in cardiac ICU.

Wow. How awesome that nurses have the privilege of being there for moments like that. I'm sure the daughter will never forget you. :nurse:

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True never-ending love :kiss :scrying: How wonderful you were able to be there with him :)

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wow... that brought tears to my eyes... I hope that when my time comes I'll have that kind of reassurance and confidence on what waites for me on the other side... Also, I think that it's a truly amazing "job" that you have and that I desire that allows for such intimacies... I would would have considered it a priviledge to have been witness to something so powerful...

S

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

i must say it brought tears to my eyes too. thanks for sharing.

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Yeah, me too....thanks. :kiss

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Times like that give us the answer when we are asked by others (or by ourselves! :)), "Why do you stay in nursing?" How lucky that you were there and could share this with his family. :nurse:

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WOW!!!!!!!!!! :scrying: :crying2:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

What a beautiful story, thanks for sharing.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

"though we stand here crying and waving goodbye, there are thousands on the other shore waving and shouting "Here he comes!"

Wonderful. Amen

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Sherri, I am in TEARS. Thank you so much for sharing that w/us.

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