Sometimes You Just Don't See It Coming

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

Thank you all for your kind words. It took me a few months to be able to write it all down, but it was like it wasn't finished until I did. She was a joy that will never be forgotten. As far as Peds goes, it was just something in my heart since I went to nursing school. I just love kids.

[kmartin906]

It takes a very special, kind, but strong person to do peds. It was always my dream to work with children ...and then I had my own child. Now every time I see a child suffering, I can't help to think about my own child and how I couldn't ever handle seeing my own child suffering the way some do. Thank you for sharing your story with us... I had to kiss and hug my baby after reading... just because!

[hecallsmeDuchess]

Even as I read your story, I hold my little one just a bit tighter. As sad as I am reading this, I'm also glad she brightened the lives of all that came in contact with her. Thanks for sharing and for being a peds nurse.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

My eyeballs are sweating. You took such good care of her, and in doing so she died knowing that one more person loved her. You've given this family a great gift. Thank you.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

God bless you and this little angel.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

It is sooooo hard to type through this mist in front of my eyes........

What a beautiful, poignant, heartbreaking, and tender tale of the best (and worst) nursing has to offer. That little girl and her family were so blessed to have you as their nurse, OP. You will never forget them, nor they you, and one day your reward will be great indeed.

Thank you for sharing this. I needed a good cry for some reason.....after reading this, I look awful but feel a lot better :kiss

[catebsn25]

how lucky that family is to have had you... your story has touched me deeply. i am greatly sorry for your loss, take care...

[CruzanNurseRN, BSN, RN]

Currently a nursing student! You brought tears to my eyes. you are a wonderful nurse! God Bless You!!

[Sadunlap]

Thank you for sharing! I remember telling my new hires that the day we cannot feel empathy for our patients is the day we need to look for a new career! Thank God for tears that water the flowers of caring in the gardens of our soul!

[Liddle Noodnik]

Sometimes the pain is just incredible. I am glad you were able to give her, and her mom, so much of yourself!

I just read something today. It was a comic called "Family Circus," and a lady was asking the mother, "How do you divide your love between four children?"

The mother said, "I don't divide; it's multiplied."

I wonder if that's what it's like when you're a peds nurse.

xo

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

You never see it with the cardiac kids. I work as a cardiac ICU nurse and have learned to never trust one of them.

My first code/death in the unit was a three year old who I was preparing to send to the step down unit. He was on room air. Off IV meds. Sitting up in his bed and telling me about mickey mouse. Late that morning he went down and he went down hard. We got him on ecmo but his one little IV wasn't strong enough to sustain him through a resuscitation and he died from brain herniation a few days later.

They are so good at compensating for their little hearts. They give us no signals until it's too late. Their sick little hearts go and go until they can go no more, sometimes we can get them back for a little while but many times we loose the battle. That little girl was lucky to have spent 4 months at home with her loving family and a sense of normalcy. You will remember her forever.

[PRICHARILLAisMISSED]

I'm so sorry. I'm not sure what to say. It is experiences like this that get me nervous about entering the profession. I'm not sure how I'll handle losing a child. BUT, I'm sure that there was nothing anyone else could have done to prevent this. And I believe that baby was lucky to have you as a part of her life while you could be. Take some comfort in knowing that while she was alive, she had a nurse who genuinely cared for her fighting for her. Sometimes that is all that can be done, and that is what you did.

Thank you for being there for her.