This morning I sat with a patient as he died

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Yesterday in the morning I told the aides not to get a resident out of bed. He was failing and his sats were low. I put him on O2 via a face mask. We put him on comfort care.

His vitals were falliing all through my shift but his respirations were still steady and regular, albeit labored. I went in to change a bandage on his arm and his breathing was beginning to be Cheyne-Stokes. Shift change was approaching and I thought I should get moving but then thought, "He is DYING. This is more important than turning over the med cart." I sat with him and stroked his face and kissed him and said, "It's okay, R. You can go. You're not alone." He took his last breath. After two minutes without a respiration I removed the mask and turned off the O2. Got the steth and pronounced him. Then I cried.

Told the charge and she called the family. I heard her say, "He wasn't alone. A nurse was with him."

He reminded me so much of my dad.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

((((hugs))) Sue, exactly what I would have done.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

sending you a big hug sue. you are a true angel sent from heaven. god bless you !

praiser :heartbeat

[NurseCard, ADN]

*HUGS* Thank you for being there with him... if he were my daddy, I would want to know that he wasn't alone and there was someone there who cared and held him...

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I hope he knew. I wonder.

[tencat]

I'm sure he knew. What a wonderful gift you gave this man. Bless you!

[ShayRN]

OFCOURSE he knew you were there. I tell my families all the time, even if they don't understand the words you are saying, they understand the love that is given. God Bless.

[LLLLiiiFFEsaveer]

comfort care. " He took his last breath

Soo touching that I wanted to share mine too

After celebrating my Fathers birthday with cake and cards that our aunts picked out for us (this was one and one-half week after them all getting here from 10+ hours away/many, many of them-family)...

I snapped my fingers twice at my older sister who was sleeping (finally), with the assertation of an imminent death, knowing that she would understand my eyes as I said "This is it Heather, its here"... Less than 5 breaths later, my mother took her last breath in... That was exactly when I wrapped my arms around her, and cried saying, "I Love You Mom, Goodbye" - as I felt her final last breath, outward, against my left cheek, my Father leaned in and hugged and cried, and my two sisters leaned in...

My Dad was now one year older, and without a Wife.

I was without a Mother

...

I sat next to a pt who died yesterday too... With his daughter. He was 92 years old when he died

This is a Sad World for those of us left behind..waiting our turn

[PedsDrNurseTheo, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, EMT-P, NP]

Yesterday in the morning I told the aides not to get a resident out of bed. He was failing and his sats were low. I put him on O2 via a face mask. We put him on comfort care.

His vitals were falliing all through my shift but his respirations were still steady and regular, albeit labored. I went in to change a bandage on his arm and his breathing was beginning to be Cheyne-Stokes. Shift change was approaching and I thought I should get moving but then thought, "He is DYING. This is more important than turning over the med cart." I sat with him and stroked his face and kissed him and said, "It's okay, R. You can go. You're not alone." He took his last breath. After two minutes without a respiration I removed the mask and turned off the O2. Got the steth and pronounced him. Then I cried.

Told the charge and she called the family. I heard her say, "He wasn't alone. A nurse was with him."

He reminded me so much of my dad.

The two most important people in our lives that are seldom remembered are the ones who attend us at our entry into this world, and the ones who attend us at our exit from it. We nurses get to be those people for the world.

You were there for him when he needed you the most.

Thank you for reminding me why I do this.

Ted

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful story, Sue.

[career#2]

Even in the face of such difficult times for a new grad such as myself, stories like this make me so proud to be able to say that I am a nurse. Thank you.

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

To this day after 28 years I still remember my first memorable patients death. I assure you he knew you were there and the tenderness you gave during those last moments. I once had an instructor who was adamant that a pt could hear and knew all that was happening within those last moments even if they didnt know an hour before. She felt that as a final gift most senses are restored (hearing, feeling of touch). I do believe that as I have had pts post code who we knew were gone for that short period of time come back and tell me everything they heard and "saw" when we no doubtedly thought they were comatose. You did a very compassionate move and it's probably one that will be rewarding in itself. Bless you.