Mr. Albercoss-Room 724 ( have posted this one before)

Published

Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

Long ago, when a student, I encountered an elderly gentleman with a CVA. He inspired me to write, in my own way, the depth of compassion and empathy, felt and practiced by nurses everywhere...

Mr. Albercoss....Room 724

One can forever discuss the unmistakable magnificance of mountains or sunsets, or millions of other unforgettable miraculous occurrences...So many moments we take for granted, assuming other such moments will follow with scarcely a thought as to how fleeting they really are...Life is not a promise, but a gift...Not everyone can "see" the subtle nuances we are so fortunate to experience as time carries on. Vast sky, awash in color in early gray dawn; vivid palettes of rich oranges and pinks seeping silently toward the city like perfectly tinted paint on some ghostly artists' easel...This is what I see as the days old night retreats...

Today I was humbled...I'm not certain why the feeling occurred today as it was, until then, a day not unlike any other. I wanted so badly to reach out and stroke your forehead, all the while imagining if I were you I would need to know that someone cared. Odd, you can't see or hear me, cannot comprehend...those tired eyes, which are absolutely the most beautiful shade of light powder blue, just like my gramma's, tell me as much...Or do they?

I never knew you. Then, suddenly, you were my newest patient-Mr. Albercoss, the CVA in 724. Massive stroke with little hope of recovery. Until then, that is exactly how I thought of you...Until today...Until this very moment....

You must have been a grand gentleman. Stories regaled by the fire in the cool briskness of late autumn. I suspect bold gregarious yarns accompanied by rounds of barreling laughter and peals of delight from scads of grandchildren gathered gleefully at your feet, mesmerized in rapt attention as grampa spun tales by the fire under a dark blue velvet, flawless star flecked sky....Sparkling, dancing eyes and work roughened gentle hands, wisps of white hair ruffled in the face of a breeze on the open sea. I think you must have sung songs too..I can't explain but somehow I'm sure of it.

Sad that you may never again know anything of the world, at least as YOU knew it...I don't know you, but somehow I already miss you. I grieve for you, your life and what might have been but can now most probably never be. I remember my own grampa and the way he smelled-pipe smoke and rootbeer....I memorized every little wrinkle when he laughed...You remind me of him......

Can it be that you are no longer even aware of your own existence? I pray not. I think not, for somehow you have connected with me and touched my heart..

Your tortuous, labored breathing makes my own drawn and painful, and as I caress your weathered face, I see no tears in your eyes but in my heart I know that they are there. Mine have joined them...I wonder, God, what if the man inside can hear me? What if everything is understood? How frustrating, no, how absolutely terrifying not to be able to reach out, but to merely exist. To move, to be alive, yet not...

So, I will touch and comfort you, feed and bathe you, keep you warm and manintain your dignity, and even if you never again stir, we will know, you and I, that we are somehow responsible for each other, for you have touched my heart without uttering a single workd...You have made me a better nurse and are an unforgettable immortal lesson on my journey to the future....

Go on dreaming Mr. Albercoss, for I am here for you...

I will always care...

Written by : Martha J. Crowninshield O'Brien RN January 1981

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Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

I should mention, that I am in the habit of putting lines from one piece into another, so guess I can't plagerize myself!

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You paint the most beautiful pictures with words, even sad ones.The depth of your feeling is something one can't manufacture unless you have felt that way. You have a gift-a great one. Please continue to share with us. For a minute, I was by his bedside with you, and found myself tearing up again. You must be a magnificant nurse. Thank you

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Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

Thankyou so much for your kind comment...I know most of us have felt this way.......I "feel" it....

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Thank you so much for your words. I do hope you don't mind but I have printed your essay (with a tip of the hat to HIPPA-deleted the name) so my staff might have a better understanding of our importance in our residents lives. Once again, Thank you:scrying:

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Lovely.

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Specializes in Assisted Living nursing, LTC/SNF nursing.

Martha, would you mind if I copied your piece (with your name attached) and gave it to one of my instructors in my nursing class? I know she would appreciate reading your piece as much as I have and your words are the crux of why I have gone into nursing so late in life. Have you ever thought of writing anything for "Chicken Soup for the Nurses soul" ? You certainly could and thank-you for sharing.

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Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

Thankyou so much and I wouldn't mind. If anyone has any ideas as to how I could submit this piece to some missive who would want to publish it. (AJN declined some years ago), I would appreciate any advice...And don't worry about hippa..Mr. Albercoss was not his real name......(close but not exact)...I am proud to be able to reach students and nurses and those of you who use my piece I hope will update me as to how it was received ...Thanks again, Martha

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Thank you for such a wonderful piece. It truly touched my heart.

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Originally posted by mother/babyRN

Mr. Albercoss....Room 724

Written by : Martha J. Crowninshield O'Brien RN January 1981

Wow, I have had moments like this (which make the whole thing worth while if you ask me). Just never have been able to describe it so eloquently. Thank you so much~ Tears in my eyes, most definitely ...

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Specializes in Assisted Living nursing, LTC/SNF nursing.

Mother/babyRN,

Here's a nice websight that you could possibly submit your heartfelt thesis to:

http://www.hearttouchers.com/guidelines

I used to get their daily emails (sorta like Chicken Soup for the Soul) and loved the content of the writing, usually some deep down meaning intertwined within the stories, kinda like your story. Anyway, you can check out this website and see if they are they type of place you would like submit some of your writing.

Wishing you the best

Karen

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks again for sharing your words.

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