He Made My Day

Hi all,

I worked a few overtime shifts last month in my hospital's PICU, where I usually pick up extra time 1-2 days a week. While there, I cared for a 17 year old 230 lb, 6-4 guy who had been in a serious car accident. Luckily he was my only pt that shift, and I ran my tail off giving meds, hanging new drips, working with PT/OT, taking him to CT/MRI, changing dressings, etc... I was ragged by the end of the shift, and tired of dealing with the constant stream of visitors totally disregarding visiting hours to come gawk at this helpless, comatose boy. I finally sat down at my desk to chart around 4:30pm, when I looked up, and saw his dad come out of his room and up to the nurses station with tears in his eyes. "I just wanted to come up and shake your hand, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking such great care of my boy...." I had to fight back my emotions as this big tough guy broke down as he shook my hand in front of the nurses station full of my coworkers, manager and physicians.... I felt like floating away after that. The busyness and stress of the day just didn't matter anymore.