This is why I love my job

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

Friday I admitted a man to my inpatient Hospice unit. He had 3 women with him and an young man. I knew that he had a son and a daughter and assumed the third woman was his wife. One of the girls I had picked out as his daughter, they had that connection. Turns out she was his son's fiancee. Saturday, they came out to me and started talking about how they would like to get married Tuesday. They were going to wait until Sept. but with this gentleman's diagnosis and quick decline, they wanted to get married while he was still alive and able to be a part of the ceremony. His son's fiancee loved him (the patient), she felt it was more important to have have him at her wedding than to have the big church wedding. Unfortunately, there is a 5 day mandatory waiting period in our county. Sooooooooo.....I called our medical director and asked permission to write a letter in his name explaining the special circumstances, he agreed. I called our hospice chaplin to see if he would be willing to preform the ceremony, he agreed. I called the kitchen to see if they would make a wedding cake, they agreed, lol. Monday, the courts were closed for MLK day. That night I gave the patient a beautiful afgan knitted by our volunteers to give to them on their wedding day and suggested that he ask, when the time comes for little ones, they bring the baby home and they will know he will be a part of that as well.

I honestly kept my fingers crossed all day on Tuesday that the patient would still be A&O enough to understand what was going on and also that the courts would waive the 5 day waiting period. Well, the letter worked! The 5 day wait period was waived and they were married at 2pm on Tuesday in the patient's room. Pastor told me that he didn't shorted his sermon at all and gave them a really personal service. He also said the patient acted as best man and handed his son the wedding band to put on his bride's finger. Best part? They saved a piece of cake for me, lol. I love when I get to do wonderful things like this for my families!:redbeathe

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That's such a beautiful story, and that was so great of you to do that for them.:)

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That is a super awesome thing you did. That's the definition of going above and beyond. That family will never in a million years forget you, you made their wishes a reality and helped to really seal the deal on their special day.

Way to go!!!

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I have been out of work on workers comp for 5yrs. I miss it so much. I worked in geriatrics and the pts made me feel needed and alive. Unfortunately the working environment was often toxic. I have been feeling anxiety at the thought of returning to work. Your story reminded me why I chose nursing in the first place and you remind me of the kind of nurse I intended to be. Thank you so much for sharing.

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Such a beautiful story. thank you for sharing:)

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Wow. This actually brought a tear to my eye. Thank you so much for sharing that! I'm sure that family appreciated everything you did, and you really did go above and beyond. They were lucky that you were their nurse & I'm sure they'll never forget you!

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shay honey, you sooo rock.:balloons::redbeathe:balloons:

leslie

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Specializes in Research & Critical Care.

Agreed. You're a bit of amazing and it's stories like this that keep my mind focused on why the hours I spend studying are worth it.

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Aww! You did such a wonderful thing for them, Shay. You got me all choked up! :heartbeat

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Such an amazing story! You are great!

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awesome! that is the "REASON" for it all!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Thanks so much being such a caring nurse and wonderful person. This is obviously where you belong. Thanks again...

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