A patient's perspective and thank you

[PJHBS]

I am not a nurse nor do I have any medical training. I am a patient. I came to this website while I was researching some medical terms I was not familiar with. I impressed with the posts and comments. I really don't want to take away from the open and professional sharing of information on this site so I will make a few observations from my view point as one patient and then I will disappear.

First my medical background. I am recovering from Guillain-Barre. Somewhere along the line of being an inpatient at a rehab hospital I developed a DVT in my leg, a blood clot in my heart, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. After the AAA repair I was told one of my kidneys had stopped functioning and that I required two abdominal stents. I also have congestive heart failure now and hyperthyroidism. Up until last year I was considered a healthy mid lifer. I had all the recommended physicals, tests, vaccination and except for a broken bone I had no real medical issues. I am now a poster child for I call the professional patient. I have 11 different doctors all from different specialties. Each doctor has their own set of rules and advice; sometimes they conflict with each other.

Now to my point. Over the last year the only real consistent care I received has been from my nurses. When I was in pain you were there, when I needed to be moved you were there, when I need help with getting out of bed or getting back into bed you were there. You were there carefully watching over my vitals and knew when I needed help. When the doctors left and I was trying to get answers to all my questions you provided me answers. Never once did you should have asked the doctor when he was there. I find that amazing because I use to think that way before I got sick: "Have a question? Then ask the doctor." In retrospect I now understand that many of these questions don't occur to you until long after the doctor has left and after some time to think about things. And yes I find nurses speak plainly without all those big medical terms that cause my eyes to roll to the back of my head.

The one big thing I learned is the nurses are there for you as a patient. Even if they have a bad day or are rushing from one thing to another they are always there. I hate to say it but I never thought about nurses much in my pre-illness days now you all are my stalwart advocates.

I know this doesn't even to cover all you do but I want to give a big thank you for your professionalism and care. Also, I would like to give one big shout-out to nurse case managers. You all are a gift. When I got out of the hospital I was scared and did not know how to navigate through all the ins and outs of health care. My case manager has been a god-send and I am forever in her debt. I know I could not have made it through the complex myriad called health care without her.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

To have only one patient like you makes it all worth it. Thank you for sharing and I wish you a speedy recovery!

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

Thank YOU!

My very favorite words are. "Thank you nurse."

Better than any gift.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for your kind words, and I wish you a continued and complete recovery!

[CamillusRN, BSN]

Wow. I was beginning to think that nursing was a truly thankless job. Thank you for making my day (night)! Exactly what I needed to help get me through the rest of my shift.

[Loveyourkidneys]

Thank you for taking the time to say thanks. It's like a recharge to hear thank you every once in a while.