More freaky happenings at work.

[RNinICU]

Last night I cared for a lady who came to our ICU after ORIF of a hip fracture. I have taken care of her for the past four nights, and found her to be a wonderful, kind lady. Both of her children and her husband had died long ago, and she had only a neice who lives in another state. She had a rather extensive past medical history, and an ejection fraction of only 12%, so was very high risk. She did well through the surgery however, and seemed to be stable. She was supposed to be transferred to our ortho floor this morning. Several times last night she talked about her mother coming to see her, and about the man that was with her mother. I thought at first she was confused, but she was able to answer other questions appropriately. Then she told me that the man was standing behind me, and telling her it was time to go. She asked him if it was OK to stay a little longer, she just wanted to wait until after I went home in the morning. She didn't sleep all night, and we talked about our families, and the things she had done in her life. When I left this morning, I told her I would be off for a few days, and I would come see her on her new floor on Monday. She told me not to worry, that she would not be there. She thanked me for the care I had given her, and asked me to kiss her cheek. I called in a little while ago, and they told me she had died at about eight this morning. I have had this same kind of experience in the past with other patients, but this lady was very special. I am glad I was there to spend her last night with her, and to say goodbye.

[l.rae]

wow,....reminds me of that tv show touched by an angel....

[Sally_ICURN]

When patients talk about having talked to or seen their dead parent, husband, wife, child, friend, etc., I always pay attention and talk with them about it. I never try to minimize their experience unless I know for sure that they are way way out in left field and completely confused. How do we know for sure that they haven't seen someone? It's VERY bizarre, but at the same time a little bit comforting.

There's a private room on our unit that has a reputation for weird things happening. When I've worked in that room, there have been smells and sounds that just plain spooked me. One night when I was working in the room, I was discussing the strange phenomenons with another nurse and a couple of hours later my patient's PTT result came back as 66.6. Freaked me out. Was someone sending a message? Weird.

~Sally

[fab4fan]

I used to see this kind of stuff all the time when I worked in hospice; it really freaked me out at first, but I really believe that pts. "know" when they are dying, and will hold on sometimes to take care of unfinished business.

How wonderful that you were able to connect with this lady. :)

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by RNinICU

Then she told me that the man was standing behind me, and telling her it was time to go. She asked him if it was OK to stay a little longer, she just wanted to wait until after I went home in the morning.

Okay, is this the sweetest patient EVER, or what? :chuckle

What a nice story, RNinICU. Sounds like she lucked out with you as her nurse.

[colleen10]

Wow RNICU!

I have shivers. You should be really proud that you were able to give this little lady such good care, friendship and understanding at the end of her days. It speaks volumes about the nurse that you must be.

I only hope that when I graduate I can give the same type of care and compassion.

[duckboy20]

that is a really cool story. things like that happen all the time. at the hospital i work at in one of our icu's they had a really freaky code. they coded the patient for a while and the person kept going in and out of v-tach. it was getting hot in the room so they opened the window. take note that the wind was not blowing outside. at the exact time the patient went flatline the mini blinds rustled like something going through them. freaked everyone out. we credit it to the patients soul leaving the room.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'm glad you were with her too. I'm sure she is too. What a great story.

I've always said, when they start talking about meeting long lost relatives, if they aren't DNR, make sure the code card is ready.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Beautiful

[RNonsense]

Great story. Thanks for sharing! :)

[duckie]

I hope someone like you is with me when it's my time to go. Bless you! Hugs to you for the special person you are. Duckie

[Mimi Wheeze]

WOW, RNinICU. What a lovely story!