That one patient you will never forget

Memories

I am a RN working that time on a neurological unit for rehabilitation in a foreign country.

Patients have been transmitted from hospitals frequently. Many of them came from countries all over the world to receive treatment; a lot of them called it their last hope.

Patients of all ages, complex diagnosis and often depressed about their situation.

After receiving the shift report this morning I started my morning rounds. One of my patients, Mr. P. 65 years old, hemi paresis and aphasia after having a stroke, sitting in a wheelchair. A tall and slim man, one of the patients I will never forget! This day he should be transferred back to our unit. He was placed to the hospital for the last two days because of his suicidal intent.

Since that day he was admitted from the hospital he often refused therapies he was scheduled for. Every assisting in ADL's seemed a torture for him. He rarely answered questions by using his hands and mimic. Weeks went by and nothing in his condition changed. By the time other patients learned to walk and speak again his progress remained the same.

His wife was always worried about him, she visited him nearly daily for several hours.

Pictures from their holidays and one of their marriage were placed on the night table in his room.

While taking care of other patients that shift, Mr. P.'s wife appeared on the unit. She spend time waiting for me, I remember never seen her pale and silent before so I went over and asked her how she felt.

That moment she took me next to her and offered me a family tragedy. After receiving several treatments against brain cancer, they finally saw their own daughter dying in hospital at the age of thirty years. The only child they ever had. She and her husband could never accept what happened; it was the deepest impact and took still part of their lives.

She looked overwhelmed; tears were running from her eyes. "He is afraid of ending up the same way his only daughter did." She said.

I felt frozen for a moment. My eyes were fixed on her lips, catching every single word she spoke. "The only way he sees for himself is to attempt suicide." I sat down with her.

"It worries me that he will never reach his rehabilitation goals".

During the following days and weeks I talked a lot to him, hoping to change his mind. I told Mr. P daily what a wonderful wife he had. The only family member who was with him and ready to go through everything what would come cross their way. That every ones time on earth had his own frame but that he was still here. And whatever brought you down lets you get up stronger. He sometimes smiled at me.

While starting another morning shift, the nursing assistant was running back to me, telling me that Mr. P. was not in his bed and could not have been found on the unit. No one else had seen him this morning! I went to the room to convince myself. The bed was empty.... The bathroom... nothing! BUT the wheelchair was missed! Attempting to call the physician and the police I grabbed the phone. Before my fingers could dial a number, an incoming call reached me. It was Mr. P.'s wife. She told me that her husband would be in front of her gate, sitting in his wheelchair. She sounded upset and happy the same time. My heart dropped down. "Today is my Birthday, my husband wished to attempt."She said.

From that day Mr. P.'s resources improved and he was finally discharged to a concept of assistant living. All our team members were still motivated to reorganize our patients ADL's and assist them and find a solution to help them to move forward and reach their goals.

There is only one thing no one can give you.... It's your own motivation!

That one patient you will never forget

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