Rose Originally Posted by connyrn Weird, bizarre, peaceful or totally memorable occasions that you observed death, any stories?
I don't mean to be morbid or anything but I am looking for ways to improve our service in the ICU and put togheter a folder and info. system to help our dear patients.
I'll tell you my last experience soon, got to get over it first!
Thanks!
When I was barely 18, I worked in an extremely small, rural hospital. We had a two bed ICU and there was a hospice patient admitted with cancer.
I can't remember the details of her condition (it was almost 15 years ago) but this has stuck with me for all these years.
Her name was Rose and she was a sweet, beautiful beloved grandmother who amazed me at how she just accepted she was dying. I was still in the "I'm invincible stage" and it struck me at how peaceful and alert she was. I came on shift and I stopped in to she how she was doing, she had been with us for about 3 weeks and I had become very attached to her.
Her pulse was thready and her BP was dropping, it was only a matter of time.
I asked her if she needed anything and she looked my way and stated "You've come to get me haven't you?" I told her no, she was not going anywhere for tests today. She smiled sweetly and said "I'm not talking to you sweetheart" and I realized she was looking over my shoulder. She closed her eyes and was never alert again. She died in about 10 minutes and it was so peaceful.
I have always pondered what I would have seen if I had been brave enough to look over my shoulder. I do believe in angels and I can thank Rose for that.
Nursing News