A few months into my first nursing job, I met Michael, the patient who put me on the road to true nursing. Still limping down the painful road from enjoying success in nursing school to putting it into practice, I drove home most days thinking, “I can’t go back tomorrow. I can’t go back tomorrow.” I lived in terror of getting caught alone with a patient whose survival depended on all that “nursing magic” that had so far eluded me. Orienting on an acute dialysis unit, my only useful skills were a pretty good nursing vocabulary, understanding of aseptic technique, and the complete understanding that there was no question too stupid for me to ask. I would have never have made it if my supervisor had been one of those who “ate her young.” (terrorized new nurses)
I was assigned to care for Michael. Though I didn’t voice it, I thought Michael’s family ought to think twice before subjecting him to dialysis. He was thirty-six years old with Down’s Syndrome and its many cardiac complications, diabetic, had hepatitis B, and now needed dialysis. I worried about how he would deal with it at his three-year-old functional level. Selfishly, I dreaded caring for him, thinking he would challenge my meager nursing skills.
I could have saved my worry. Michael stole every heart in the dialysis unit. He was smiling when his mother brought him in, did everything he was asked, dealt with his pain, and was the kindest patient I ever had the privilege of caring for. I loved him dearly, and treasured every moment I got to spend with him over the short three years I had the gift of being his nurse. Thanks to Michael, I learned compassion and humility. Every soul has value and something to share.
Our patients are our greatest teachers. Beautiful story.
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Thank you. Michael’s mother was 36 when he was born, 72 when he died. She was so relieved he didn’t outlive her. She had a daughter who was loving and attentive, but didn’t want Michael to have to deal with grief over her death. He had a good life and loving family until the day he died. It was a blessing. He was a blessing to all of us.
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He must have touched many hearts with his pure, sweet soul. What a loving family.
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They were good folks.
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Tell me how yu felt when you came to know he died..
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I grieved for myself, but was glad he wouldn’t be sic anymore. Also, his mother was in her eighties and worried she would die and leave him. I was glad he didn’t have to lose his mother.
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Ohh…. Thts good… But you may have faced lot of tragedies as well right…?
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Yes. It’s all part of the commitment.
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Wonderful story. I learnt to love every kind of person from nine months working at base level in a psychiatric hospital.
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Nothing like walking in a person’s shoes.
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I bet you were a great nurse! Especially if you brought that sense of humor to work with you!
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I loved being with my patients.
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So precious:) This story warmed my soul:)
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That was a heartwarming post. Michael sounded like such a sweet guy.
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Oh this made me smile 😊 such a beautiful post. I work with this client group in supportive living and yes, they amaze me with their beautiful outlook on life – plus one of my young ladies with Downs shows me how to program the DVD to work 😊 xx
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I think the life expectancy of a child with Downs Syndrome depends on the child. I had a cousin who I think outlived his mother after his father died. They had to put him in a group home when he was older. He seemed, according to this aunt, to be getting really good care. He had a five-year-old mentality. The last I heard, I think he must have been in his sixties. Some can do quite well in a sheltered workplace. Having been a nurse, you probably know more about it than I do. I worked as a substitute teacher with mental special needs children and found they were darling. 🙂 — Suzanne
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What a wonderful story of compassion, celebrating some of the best of human nature.
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Michael brought out the best in all of us who knew him.
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I feel blessed to have read your post! Beautiful.
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I am so glad you understood.
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Wow, Linda. This brought on the waterworks. Bless you. 🙂 ❤
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It certainly humbled and enlightened me.
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❤ ❤ ❤
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What a great share. Thank you!
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Thanks.
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Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. (((hugs)))
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You’re welcome.
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Those are the encounters that really make a difference in our lives. I’m sure Michael and his family also appreciated having you for his nurse.
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They were great people. It never occurred to Michael he’d be anything but loved.
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Thanks for sharing. So many lessons to be learned.
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I learned a good one.
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That gave me goosebumps, Linda! What a touching story. So sad such lovely souls are passing so early. But they teach us so much during their stay.
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He was a gentle and sweet soul.
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I am so sure about it! I gave a seminar with mentally disabled people and it was amazing.
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Certainly changes your outlook. They see a lot we miss.
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They are very connected to the essence of life and teach us that way.
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👍 Though I’m sure it was frightening at first, you have my admiration. Nursing is a tough job, one that would definitely challenge my confidence. A patient like Michael would certainly make all the education and hard work worthwhile. I know you became well loved in the dialyses unit with your sense of humor and kind heart. Besides, I suspect that you can be a tough old bird. Like mother, like daughter.😉
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It was such a privilege to care for patients.
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Oh, how lovely, Linda. I bet he loved having you for his nurse too 🙂
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He was a sweetheart. He’d never known anything but kindness and love.
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That’s so lovely to hear.
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Wonderful story!
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Michael was one of those amazing people who love everybody and everything.
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I wish all nurses were as kind as you. I’ve ran into a lot that make you feel that you’re getting a favor or worse still wish you would just die and get it over with.
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That is a miserable experience. Hope I never made anyone feel that way.
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Thanks for sharing this story of Michael and how it formed you in the caring profession of nursing. I hope everyone gets to meet their own Michael in this life and walk away from the experience with your outlook.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. Michael changed me.
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Beautiful post, Linda. Nurses are a special breed. I thought about nursing, but after volunteering I realized quickly that I would never be able to deal with the pain and suffering. Those of you who can, and who can help the patient deal with it, are simply too awesome for words.
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I was worried at first, but quickly learned patients needed help more than I needed to worry about my feelings.
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Wonderful, wonderful story! I have always heard that children with Downs Syndrome are “Angel Children.”
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Michael was the first I really got to know. I loved him.
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He sounds precious!
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A heartbreaker.
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Awww, how sweet. 🙂 I hope he got better and got to go back home.
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He did. He lived three years and died of a massive stroke. Don’t believe he suffered.
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Awww, that’s too bad. I know they don’t live very long lives and I have always heard they are “Angel children.” Certainly sounds like the case with him.
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He was. His mother was nearly eighty when he died. She was so glad she outlived him.
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I can imagine that it is a huge worry for older parents when they have a mentally challenged child. It usually is a blessing the parents outlive these children, unless they have set up family to take them when they pass.
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It would be a worry.
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I know that it would be for me. Of course, that doesn’t mean I would wish my child would die either. I’m sure their parents don’t either.
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She was all concern.
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My gosh yes, poor thing, she was 80 years old. I’m sure she worried over what would happen to her boy. Now he is waiting for her or was waiting for her.:)
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They are surely together now.
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Awww that is wonderful! They are both happy and Michael is no longer mentally challenged.
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