Thanks...

This man was a carpentero, while meaning little to society…. Meant everything to his wife and family, he contributed significantly to the reality known by them, daughters, sons following in his footsteps. This man helped move this city and possibly others, forward, in his way, with his craft. This became evident when we told his family that despite everything within our power… he died. I had the fortune of being this man's nurse, his human face to this foreign, transient environment known as medicine to us, hospital to him. One of the few areas in his life where control would be impossible…. His wife, a loving, supportive partner had left for a break, in good hands she presumed, a man with a mild complaint of chest pain… This man who showed no signs of distress throughout his stay was having a non-STEMI…. Cardiology was slated to see him but, per usual, made no rush of the matter as NSTEMI's are stable and can wait for a cath…”. I should use that line next time I'm telling a family they've just lost everything, the next time a spouse goes for a casual lunch with their family to decompress and doesn't think of saying that last good bye…. Levantate! she said… vamonos!...." to the corpse that lay before her and her weeping, crushed family… as she stroked his hair... and kissed him... speechless, I offer a futile apology Lo Siento mucho Senora”, and step out of the room that was a flurry of activity just minutes ago to compose myself, call my wife..in tears I tell her I love her and know that I have other patients that have needs as well, and if not tended to may very well experience this same tragic fate….

Thank you nurses and support staff…….I've been a nurse 3 years... I think I'm starting to get it.