Wanted to share a story: The impact of nurses in my Grandpa's death

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On Thursday my Grandpa called my Dad and said he needed to go to the hospital because he didn't feel well. We decided to have an ambulance come for him so that EMTs could watch over him on the trip to the hospital. Upon arrival a CAT scan found that he had an aortic aneurism. My grandpa was lucid and the aorta hadn't ruptured, so the vascular surgeon felt that his odds were good, even though he was 80 years old.

My family and I waited and waited. 3 hours passed but we knew this was an extensive surgery. Finally a nurse came out and called out my Grandpa's name, and we came out into the hallway to talk to her. She explained that shortly after my Dad left the aorta did burst and my Grandfather went into shock. He coded several times and they anticipated him coding again. When my aunt asked the nurse "Will he die?" she was honest with us and said his odds were very poor. Both my aunt and I asked if we could see him one last time, and she said she didn't think so but would try.

In about 30 minutes our nurse came back out and explained that the doctor was unable to finish the surgery but that they were transferring Grandpa to the ICU so that we could say goodbye. We were able to hold his hands while he passed, see him one more time, and say all the things we needed to say. We believe (probably against what science would tell us!) that he heard us. My little sister leaned in close to him and said "Bye, we love you, say hi to Grandma for us". :crying2: It was a sad moment but we were so blessed to be able to have that time with him. There wasn't a dry eye in the ICU.

We feel that the surgical nurse pushed for us to be able to see him one last time and that the nurses in the ICU were also advocates for us being able to be with him during his passing. As soon as they got the ok, the one of the ICU nurses ran out to get us and hurried to rush us into the ICU, using her card key to let us in. My family and I are so thankful to the nurses for helping us experience my Grandpa's sudden death the way we needed to. For the rest of our lives we will never forget their kindness and we will be able to remember this moment the way we would want to.

Just a story I wanted to share. For all you nurses out there, never underestimate the influence you have on people's lives.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Thank you for taking the time to share your story in this sad and difficult time. You must have a lovely and loving family, and you are all blessed by each other.

Please don't think for a moment that your Grandpa didn't hear you or realize your presence. Science has taught us that hearing is the last sense to go. It is very likely that he heard your good-byes, even though he was unable to respond.

May your Grandpa be at peace and have a joyful reunion with your Grandma.

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aw, bless you linzyann. :icon_hug:

i'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa, but am relieved to learn of your positive experiences w/the nurses.

i am sure he felt your presence and am very confident that he and grandma are reunited in love, peace and glory.

gentle hugs, honey.

leslie

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I do believe he knew you all were there, and that he heard what was said for him. I'm happy that you did have that opportunity to be there.

Thank you for sharing this with us. Please, do share this with the hospital where he was, if you have not already done so. They need to hear this, too. Your story is something those nurses will never forget.

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I'm so sorry about your grandpa, but I'm glad he was able to go with so much love around him.

Those nurses are what nursing is supposed to be about, and I'm glad you were able to have that experience instead of the opposite.

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Specializes in Obs.
I'm so sorry for your loss.

I do believe he knew you all were there, and that he heard what was said for him. I'm happy that you did have that opportunity to be there.

Thank you for sharing this with us. Please, do share this with the hospital where he was, if you have not already done so. They need to hear this, too. Your story is something those nurses will never forget.

I agree with this 110%. The nurses at the hospital do need to hear this. Thank you for sharing this story with all of us. So sorry for your loss.

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Sorry for your loss and thanks for sharing.

This is why we do what we do when we work in the world of critical care. It can make all of the difference to a family for the rest of their lives, even when you know that you cannot help the patient directly.

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This is why we do what we do when we work in the world of critical care. It can make all of the difference to a family for the rest of their lives, even when you know that you cannot help the patient directly.

not to detract from the op, but i am very confident that all specialties have gratified pts and families...

not only in critical care.

leslie:twocents:

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Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

Thank you for sharing that beautiful story with all of us.:cry:

It helps me to remember why I want to be a nurse:heartbeat.

I am sorry for your loss.

H.....

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