Nurses

Nurses especially palliative and oncology nurses have the toughest job in the world. They are a care giver, first and foremost, councillor, patients advocate, friend and cleaner. It takes a special person to be able to do this job. I know because I grew up with one. They have to be stern when needed, compassionate when called for, level headed at all times and above all else maintain a sense of humor.

Case and point, I listened as my mother told me a story yesterday. She had a terrible night and had not slept well. She had oxygen bubbling through nasal prongs and her IV pulsing as she told the story. It was about a man 2 doors down, who had been disoriented and verbally abusive with the nurses all night. He had been unable to settle and clearly had no idea about where he was or what he was doing.

He appeared at the nurses station at 5:30 am and handed the nurse his daily menu. The nurse politely accepted the menu for the day and then directly looking at the man said "I think we should get back to bed as your missing something". He looked down, and of course he was bottomless and was sharing with the world what he had been born with. The man without missing a beat and without changing his facial expression said "Yeah, I know but I figured at this time in the morning no one would care". The nurse replied " Well it's not a good time to do that". His response "Well when is a good time". Hers, without any change in expression "After 4 pm this afternoon". 

Now that may just be an Aussie thing, the sense of humor I mean, but he went wholly and solely back to his room chortling away.........

God bless all nurses......

I thought this quote seemed appropriate

"I am only one; but still 

I AM ONE.

I cannot do everything;

but still I can do something. AND

I will not refuse to do something that

I CAN DO."

E.E. Hale