The Ones That Take Your Breath Away.

[prowlingMA]

As you may know I am a Medical Asst. working in an outpatient Onc. clinic.

Every week I read our local Sunday paper and read the obituaries. Today there were 2 that took my breath away.

A very pretty mid 20's girl we saw in clinic for several months and had gone to specialists in another city. She lost her battle last week.

Another was a 40ish mom of teenagers who was only diagnosed a few months ago. Seemed like every visit she got a little worse until she too lost her battle.

Also had another pt in her 50's, reminded me of my mom so much, near the end her skin was litterally egg yolk yellow.

Just a few in the 3 years I have been working there who have really touched me and took my breath away when I learned they had passed.

Please share your stories of the ones that took your breath away.

[southernbelle08]

This happens to me quite often. I don't know if it is because I am such a new nurse, or if it is for some other reason, but my co-workers always tease me about being the one to keep up with everything through the obituaries. I often browse the internet at work during my down time and will, unfortunately, find names of patients we have cared for. I remember names very well.

I have been in Oncology for nearly 9 months now and there have been several cases like you speak of. Some I came in on after all hope had been lost, some I really prayed for that same miracle the pt and their family was praying for. No matter what, getting close to a patient and then hearing they lost the battle is always an emotional experience. I have mixed feelings on it everytime. It is something you can't really explain until you experience it, but at the same time, I have learned so much from those patients. About myself, about life, etc.

I suppose it will always be that way. You grow to love these people. I guess if a day came where it didn't make me feel that way, I'd know it was time to get out.