When patients hit close to home

[LCinTraining]

I walked into a patient room last week to help a coworker with a transfer. We situated the patient, I stood up as he said "Thank you" and I saw it. My father in law was looking right back at me. Only, it wasn't my father in law. He passed away a few months ago. It took me off guard but I was able to deal with it and said my goodbyes and went back to my patients.

Yesterday I had to cover that group of patients by myself. I did great the entire shift. I honestly didn't even notice a resemblance, until right towards the end of the shift. He made a facial expression and there it was again. The father in law was looking right at me.

After I left the room, my direct nurse (I'm an aide) started asking me about something regarding the man and I started crying. It was only a couple seconds and I took a deep breath and said "I'm o.k. Wow, that was awkward". I'm not a crier. But for some reason this patient really gets me emotional and I'm not sure how to handle it being so close to a man I loved like my own father. Has anyone else dealt with a situation like this? What did you do?

[sharpeimom]

Unfortunately, it does happen from time to time and it hurts when it does happen. The advice so far has been

good.

It's much harder when it's a negative reminder. I remember when a woman was admitted and she became my

new admission. I introduced myself and she said, "Hello Katherine!" in that VOICE! Her name was different but

there could be absolutely no doubt... she was my fifth grade nemesis: the dreaded MRS.___! Except, it wasn't!

It was then that I learned that the scary Mrs. ___ had an identical twin! Once I quit sweating and became an

adult again, I discovered that she was absolutely delightful!

On the flipside ... when I was a psych nurse, I repeatedly had this woman who reminded me so much of my mom

that it was spooky! I had to keep reminding myself that this lady WAS NOT MY MOM every single time I entered

her room. With each new admission, it would take two or three days before my brain and psyche adjusted.

It will happen for you too.

[LCinTraining]

Well, all these post made me cry. Hard. I don't cry and dang it, this man has caused me more tears than a lake! It was cathartic to let some of it out. I'm just odd in that it took me days to fully react I suppose.