"Mary passed away...."

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

That was the telephone message... I had met Mary and her devoted husband John while filling a 4-hour "hole" working PRN at my local hospital. She was a woman about my age, in her mid 40's, suffering from advanced ovarian cancer. She was the type of patient to whom you couldn't help but get attached--she had a quality about her spirt that was just amazing. Got to know her better over the next few months, stopping by her house for visits, to try and encourage her. However, it was Mary who inspired me. She had such a LOVE for lving--I mean, she wanted to LIVE so badly. She was always so positive and giving, never complaining, always thinking about others. I would go to encourage her and would leave so built up by her attitude and presence. Mary finally lost her battle after fighting so hard. It made me think. Think about this wondrous gift from God that we all share, called LIFE... Too often we take it for granted. Get upset over the little, trivial, insignificant things. In Mary's honor, I am determining from this point onward to live each day to the fullest, to worry less, to stress less, to be THANKFUL for each and every moment I am here; to be thankful for my good health. To celebrate EACH and EVERY day that I am alive. Mary, you were a most remarkable patient and I will miss you, my dear friend!

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VickyRn

What a beautiful tribute to your friend

j

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Sorry to hear about your friend.....the only true monuments we build to those we love is how we pass on the pieces of their lives that touched our life......this is a beautiful way to honor your friend's memory....God bless.....LR

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

To all the "Marys" in this world:

There is a reason and a purpose for every life walked on this earth, no matter how brief.

Thank you that in dying, you breathed new life into those around you.

Thank you for reminding us to celebrate each sunrise as a gift of life.

Thank you for allowing your purpose to be fulfilled..you didn't have to, you know... but you chose to. And you did it for the living, while you yourself were quietly dying.

Thank you for showing us that sometimes, the dying are more alive than the living... and that so many of the living have died long ago..and just don't know it.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention so that we may be more aware of the breath in our nostrils...and what it means.

May we seek to use each day as an opportunity to inspire and encourage others as you did in your own gentle way.

Thank you, Mary, and may you rest in peace.

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"Preserve your memories, they are all thats left you" Courtesy Simon and Garfunkle. She sounds like a friend we would be blessed to have. sorry for your loss.

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What connections and blessings we find in those people that cross our path.

Your nursing care that turned into more, thanks for sharing. VickyRN.

micro

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I am so sorry to hear of your loss. This the hardest part of being a human/nurse, saying goodbye to beautiful souls.:o

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I know it hurts, Vicky RN. I went through the same thing for the first time some weeks ago. I'm sorry - know that.

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I have been there, and I send my love.

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Originally posted by VickyRN

That was the telephone message... I had met Mary and her devoted husband John while filling a 4-hour "hole" working PRN at my local hospital. She was a woman about my age, in her mid 40's, suffering from advanced ovarian cancer. She was the type of patient to whom you couldn't help but get attached--she had a quality about her spirt that was just amazing. Got to know her better over the next few months, stopping by her house for visits, to try and encourage her. However, it was Mary who inspired me. She had such a LOVE for lving--I mean, she wanted to LIVE so badly. She was always so positive and giving, never complaining, always thinking about others. I would go to encourage her and would leave so built up by her attitude and presence. Mary finally lost her battle after fighting so hard. It made me think. Think about this wondrous gift from God that we all share, called LIFE... Too often we take it for granted. Get upset over the little, trivial, insignificant things. In Mary's honor, I am determining from this point onward to live each day to the fullest, to worry less, to stress less, to be THANKFUL for each and every moment I am here; to be thankful for my good health. To celebrate EACH and EVERY day that I am alive. Mary, you were a most remarkable patient and I will miss you, my dear friend!

Dear Vicky. God has blessed your life through your friend's passing. She taught you a very valuable lesson. She taught you the difference between an inconvienence and a problem. I pray that you continue to live positively in her memory. Peace and Be Blessed.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by jnette

To all the "Marys" in this world:

There is a reason and a purpose for every life walked on this earth, no matter how brief.

Thank you that in dying, you breathed new life into those around you.

Thank you for reminding us to celebrate each sunrise as a gift of life.

Thank you for allowing your purpose to be fulfilled..you didn't have to, you know... but you chose to. And you did it for the living, while you yourself were quietly dying.

Thank you for showing us that sometimes, the dying are more alive than the living... and that so many of the living have died long ago..and just don't know it.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention so that we may be more aware of the breath in our nostrils...and what it means.

May we seek to use each day as an opportunity to inspire and encourage others as you did in your own gentle way.

Thank you, Mary, and may you rest in peace.

I totally agree with this message, jnette! You said it so well! Thanks! :kiss

VickyRN......(((((((((hugs))))))))) My prayers are with you in your time of grief as you mourn the loss of a very special soul. :kiss

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I am so sorry for your loss and I understand your feelings fully. I am praying for you and sending hugs your way. Just remember, when someone else impacts our life this deeply, they never die for a part of them continues to live within our hearts and they go on. God Bless you my friend.

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