Was a hard day today

[dreamingofbeing]

I have been taking care of a patient for the last 3 weeks that I have known was going to pass away it was only a matter of when, he is a comfort measures only pt. I am on an oncology floor so having to take care of patients who are dying is nothing new however this one is different for me. It usually happens that we get a pt and I am there one day and when I come back 3 days later the pt has passed on. With this pt I have been his aide every day I have worked for 3 weeks. Every day I walk into the room and start talking (he is comatose) and preparing everything to give him a bath and clean linens. He was so agitated and tense one day that I started singing to him to calm him down and it worked so I became his singing aide during am care time. I also always made sure that the family was taken care of. I made sure they had ice and glasses and whatever else they may need. Well today I knew things changed. His breathing patterns had changed and his color was changing. When I was giving him a bath he started to mumble which was something he had never done before and I told the nurses I was working with that he was talking to the angels. I leaned over and whispered in his ear to tell my Grandpa hi and that I miss him because I knew they would be friends in heaven. My heart was heavy when I left today because I know he most likely will be gone when I go in again on Thursday. The family had some really kind words for me and it makes me feel good knowing that I at least helped them a little in their time of grieving. I just wanted them to be treated with the same dignity, respect and compassion that I would want my family to be treated with (and that we were treated with when my grandpa was dying).

[mandana]

So sorry that today was so hard for you.

I'm so impressed though, with how much you contributed to such a hard, hard time for your patient and his family.

You definitely did have a positive impact.

Amanda

[anniev]

You passed your lessons on, bless you for your care and compassion,it is these days that make your job worth it, you will know this later not now.Be proud of yourself:icon_hug:

[suzy253, RN]

Bless your heart for the loving care you give.

[leslie :-D]

sounds like you have a natural gift in caring for the sick and dying.

what a blessing.

you should feel good about yourself.

leslie

[skipaway]

You are a credit to the human race. God bless.

[steelydanfan]

It actually sounds as if you had a GREAT day today. You gave excellent, compassionate care to a dying person, aided the family in thier time of grief and communicated your findings to the team so that they could continue your work. While it is SO hard to know a patient you have bonded with will most likely be gone when you get back to work; and have to continuously repeat the letting go process; you obviously have a gift for it.

You are a star, nurse.

Love yourself for your exceptional talents, and continue to offer them.

[military spouse]

You are a true asset to the profession! You sound like one of the CNAs that I worked with at hospice. She was such a blessing to every patient. It sounds as if you have those same wonderful qualities! May God bless you for your loving and compassionate care!

[LIZPICURN]

Thank you so much for reminding a lot of us why we are in this profession. You have made more of an impact on your patient, the family, and your staff then you can probablly ever imagine. You gave peace to a dying patient. I am sure your caring manner helped the family immensely. God bless you.

[Guest717236]

You are an angel !

Having personally lost two family members in a short time,

I know his family was deeply indebited to the loving care

you provided to their loved one. In a day and age where

medical care is focused on dollars, you have made a difference

by keeping a focus on what is important-giving your best

care to your patients and supporting their family.

You have given this family a cushion of comfort in a very

difficult time.......

God Bless You

[littlejo]

nursing care is probably one of the hardest jobs ever loved... you are a hero, to your sweet patient, his family, the staff you work with, and now to all of us in sharing your heart and your experience... keep up the great work -- you give the medical field a shining star in all you do... (hope your grandpa enjoys him as much as you did)... thank you for being so very caring and for being such a wonderful example...