heart is breaking - page 3

[NEW] Finish the Toon Caption Contest! Win $100.

Okay, all I want to be is a nurse who cares and does her best... and this is all getting to me. I have seen countless people die and have taken care of them until the end. I was able to maintain a... Read More

Aug 26, '02
Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 4,738; Likes: 104

Honestly, it was the thought of you guys that got me through my day. That is a wonderful thing. Thank-you!
Aug 26, '02
Occupation: RN - College Health Specialty: Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health ; Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 6,584; Likes: 70

Adrie - I know how you love your residents. I've been there. Thank you for being there for your dear Flo and "easing her journey."

Beatitudes For The Aged
by Ester Mary Walker

Blessed are they
Who understand
My faltering step
And palsied hand.

Blessed are they
Who know today
My ears must strain
To catch what they say.

Blessed are they
Who seem to know
My eyes are dim
and my wits are slow.

Blessed are they
That looked away
When coffee spilled
At the table today.

Blessed are they
With a cheery smile
Who stop to chat
For a little while.

Blessed are they
Who never say,
"You've told me that story
Twice today."

Blessed are they
Who know the ways
To bring back memories
Of yesterdays.

Blessed are they
Who make it known
That I'm loved, respected,
And not alone.

Blessed are they
Who know I'm at a loss
To find the strength
To carry the cross.

Blessed are they
Who ease the days
On my journey Home
In loving ways.
Aug 26, '02
Occupation: RN Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 96; Likes: 1

Adriene. God Bless you. You are a very caring and compassionate nurse and human being. Your Flo will be in your memories for a long time to come. She will be a comfort to you as you were to her in her passing.

Nurse Ratched What a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Aug 26, '02
Occupation: RN, MS home health Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 7,472; Likes: 49

adrian.......................God Bless You. Your helping people do the last thing they do with dignity.........

renerian
Aug 26, '02
Occupation: Psychiatric Research Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 1,467; Likes: 6

(((((((((((((((Adrienne))))))))))))))
Aug 26, '02
Occupation: RN Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 415; Likes: 1

There are some nurses who work with the elderly, and don't give that extra hug or attention. You are one of those nurses who truly cares for her pts. and shows it. You are a special human being. THis lady is very lucky to have had you share in her last moments of life. :angel2:
Aug 26, '02
Occupation: student with two crappy part time jobs Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 244; Likes: 1

(((()))))

--bri
Aug 27, '02
Occupation: Quality Nurse & Home Health Nurse Joined: Dec '99; Posts: 3,786; Likes: 129

THat is beautiful Rached!!!

I need hugs now. I lost two dear patient's on Sunday. Monday, on the new job, I had some down time, and decided to call all my patient's and see how they were. I had a bunch of them in the same building, forget about confidentiality, they all knew I was this one or that one's nurse, etc... So, when I called the dtr of one of my pt's, her mom was hospitalized when I left, so I didn;t get to make a "goodbye" visit, anyway, she told me one of my pt's who had sickle cell passed on Sunday. He was a great guy, his wife , well she just never got it. He died in the hospital, sad to me, but better for his personal situation. He was the oldest person we have ever had w sickle cell, he was 62. His hips were gone from aseptic necrosis, and he was in so much pain, you would not believe the dose of oxycontin he was on, I think last d/c, it was up to 320mg tid w percodan for breakthru.

When He and I first met, several years ago, I was covering for his case manager/nurse on a weekend for his leg wounds, he's the one I talked about that had the exfoliative derm from coumadin, but we hadn't figured that out yet, that was a few weeks later. Anyway, his house was filthy. And so were his feet. I mean those socks when I took them off reeked. His wife refused to help him bathe. Finally, the second weekend of skanky toes....I gave him a lecture...Look, I can see you can't reach or wash yourself, but if you don't want your wife to help you, I am insisting you get a home health aide to wash your feet and your socks, b/c hon, your feet reek! He looked appalled, and I felt a little bad about it, but come on, if I hadn't of taken charge, his legs would be rotting away a long time ago. After a few weeks, I saw him again, and he thanked me for the HHA. He then told me he's been telling everyone this whole thing with his legs started when he went on coumadin, he keeps telling the doc, and no one listens. Well, I checked a few books, and sure enough, it was a rare reaction. I told the doc, she thought I was brilliant, I said he's the one who made the connection. So he got the right treatment, and his legs always looked really good after that. So, even though we had a rocky start, he trusted me, really trusted me to listen to him, and I became his case manager when his nurse retired.

My other pt was a 96yr old man, his poor wife was so ill. This past year, they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary! I sent them flowers, and his wife was so touched, said she never got flowers sent to her before (Can you believe that? Sje must have forgotten!) But, his heart was very very weak, and I knew it wouldn't be long. The EMS were there so many times, I would see them in front of his building and say, not again, they'd say Yup, come back next week nurse, Oh yeah, any med changes? Always the same 2 EMT's too, real nice guys. I know Eugene is happier now, but I know he is worried about his wife, he always thought she'd go first, I don't think she will last much longer w/o him to baby. They really loved each other, kissed and hugged, it was so nice to see that.

Well, thanks for reading to the bottom, I just need a cyberhug too.

Last edit by hoolahan on Aug 27, '02
Aug 27, '02
Occupation: RN--currently outpatient pediatrics Specialty: 25 year(s) of experience in Peds Critical Care, NICU, Burn ; Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 74; Likes: 1

Bless you guys for your caring and perseverance! Caring for the elderly is one thing I find really difficult; kids and babies are more my specialty. Guess God puts us where He wants us; I'm praying that He gives you peace about your work and the strength to do it! :kiss
Aug 28, '02
Occupation: RN - College Health Specialty: Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health ; Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 6,584; Likes: 70

Wow, Hoolahan - isn't it amazing the people our work affords us the privilege of meeting? 66 years together - amazing.

((((((hugs)))))) to you .
Aug 28, '02
Occupation: RN Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 96; Likes: 1

Hoolahan. (((((hugs))))). Thanks for sharing your story of your two patients with us. These type of stories is what keeps nurses in nursing. The saddness is terrible but the joyous memories and knowing that we have made a difference in someone's life.
Aug 28, '02
Joined: Jan '02; Posts: 1,614; Likes: 2

I know what your talking about. You are a great nurse...coming from me (not a nurse). Hospitals and modern medicine do so much for people, but every living and swirling mass of electrons and protons eventually achieves disorder and cellular death. You have my heart during this time, because it does, sort of, bleed into your thinking and emotions. We hold onto human life, and guard it, and keep it going till death do us part. When beautiful people, with a loving heart die, and we knew them, its natural to feel confused and devestated. Her memory will live with you for a long time, right? You can recall her giggle and warm feeling anytime you want...it enters a new phase. Love, Mario
Aug 28, '02
Joined: May '02; Posts: 827; Likes: 42

oh, Adrien, thank you for loving and caring the way you do. And thanks for sharing your love for this lady. I read once that some people pass thru our lives, and some leave footprints on our hearts. This lady left footprints on ALL of our hearts. Nurse ratched, your poem was beautiful, and Mario I loved the picture of the angel. zudy

heart is breaking - page 3

Must Read Topics