Early in my nursing career, I cared for Betsy Mercer, a young mother of six and seven-year-old boys who had lost her baby when the placenta detached before delivery. She was catastrophically ill, suffering every complication. I dialyzed her for weeks while she was on the ventilator in ICU as she went from bad to worse to worse. The only thing in her favor was her previous good health and the fact that she was a mother. As a mother, I identified with the grief she’d feel at the loss of her little girl when she finally regained consciousness, and regretful that two little boys were likely to lose their loving mother. I sang to Betsy and talked to her as though we were friends every day. “Betsy, Your husband brought these pictures of your boys today. They are so cute. He said they miss you but Grandma Sweet is getting them to and from school. Joey made you this bracelet and Kerry drew you a picture of your family. He drew you the biggest. He must really love you.”
I put the bracelet in her wrist every day when I was with her and posted the kid’s art where she could see it when she was turned to the left. Patients who can’t move are repositioned often to keep their skin healthy and to help prevent pneumonia. Late one Thusday I finished my shift and told Betsy I’d but would see her Tuesday morning after my long weekend, though I had little hope she’d be there.
I went back to the ICU to check on Betsy before my shift Tuesday morning. My heart fell when I saw someone else in her room. I felt just awful till I asked her nurse when she’d died.
“Oh, Betsy rallied midday Friday. She didn’t need dialysis and got off the ventilator Saturday night. By Monday, she was so much better, she moved out to the obstetrical floor.
I was ecstatic at her recovery, and meant to visit her in her room, but didn’t get up there. About six weeks later, a beautiful young woman stopped off at our unit to visit. It was Betsy, fully recovered come to pay her caregivers a visit. I’d never have known her. It was such a joy to see her returned to health and her family. It’s days like these that keep nurses coming back.
This story gave me chills.It just doesn’t get any better than that,
Thank you for talking and singing to her, and speaking to her about her family. I often wonder if we are placed our patients’ lives or if they are placed in ours.
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I believe they give us as much as we do them.
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Yes they do
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I’m in nursing school right now, and this is the kind of story that keeps motivating me to study to be the best nurse possible. Thank you for sharing!
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I am so glad. I will do some more, just for you.
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Lovely story. As a nursing student, these stories really keep motivating me and pushes me to do better in school. Thank you!
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Glad you enjoyed.
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Welcome to that little voice and thank you for following my blog.
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Thank you so much.
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I have been blessed enough with 2 different patients that awoke from being in a coma while I was in the room for the first time. There’s no question that nursing has been such a great experience. The feeling of unconditional appreciation of kindness by patients and families is amazing, thank you to all my patients and such a warm story I can appreciate! Shaunda Melton
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It is wonderful to be a part of that.
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Nurses are the best, & you were truly a special one. Often they are better healers than the doctors.
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Nurses nurture. Everybody needs that.
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They have practical knowledge too, though. They’re with patients more than doctors often are.
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That’s why we need both.
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Well said!
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Beautiful story. My daughter is going to nursing school.
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That’s great! I hated nursing school but loved nursing. There is no comparison.
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So far she’s loving the whole thing and likes being challenged. Keep in mind, she’s nearly 50. She quit school in her junior year to get married, had children 12 years later, so she’s trying to catch up and loving it.
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My husband graduated from nursing school at 46. He was a wonderful nurse. Congrats to your daughter.
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Heartwarming story. I’ve just had a brief consultation in our local hospital and the nurses there were doing a grand job.
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Most try really hard.
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I was holding my breath reading this post… no need 🙂
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Yep! Happy ending!
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A heartwarming story, Linda. How wonderful she recovered her health. You helped her a great deal. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Beautiful story!!
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I still cherish it.
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The yin and yang of the medical profession.
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And this adds to my belief that nurses are amazing people.
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Just like everyone else.
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You are so right Linda, its those ‘wins’ that make the tough days so worth while. You have to admire the human spirit don’t you….
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You never know what strength it hides.
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So true…
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It helps to deal with all the sadder stories, I’m sure. ☺
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I hold those close to my heart.
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What a beautiful story, I’m glad she had you caring for her. How rewarding to know you helped heal this mom!!!
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Never expected her to survive. Just kept hoping.
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BEAUTIFUL!
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