Stories of Caring

Dee D

I recently took care of patient who was newly diagnosed with leukemia and presented with a severe brain bleed.  Throughout his admission and the rest of the day, his condition continued to worsen to brain death.  We spent time sitting with the family, cried and and listening to stories of their lives together.  While he was dying, a new nurse sat with us and she watched the whole process.  Not only did I help the family by providing comfort in their grief, but also the new nurse too. I didn't realize until afterward that this was her first patient death.  He died peacefully at 6:48 that same day.

Susan W

I cared for an elderly woman from a nursing home who had recently been diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder.  She was ready for transfer, but as I went in to do her vital signs I sensed her fear.  I asked what was the matter and she said she was afraid to leave Delnor because she had never been cared for like she had been here.  I sat down, talked with her, tried to ease her fears and told her we would call to check on her.  Well, we did call, and she was quite surprised and excited to hear from me.  She said, "I'll tell all of my friends at Holmstad to come here, because you treat people like family."

Julie B

We have recently had a number of cancer patients in our care who have died.  One husband in particular was so grateful for everything we did for his wife.  Some of us went to her wake and the look on his face when we walked in said it all.  He immediately introduced us as his wife's care givers from Delnor and couldn't stop praising all of the care we had given his wife.  Over and over he thanked us for all we did.  It is so heart warming to know we make such a difference.

Sharon W

A 32-year-old patient was doing very poorly and expressed his wishes to die in the hospital  We had talked at length months ago about the signs and symptoms of the dying process and in the past 6 weeks he had entered into hospice care.  The hospice team also knew his wished and when it looked like it was close - agreed to bring him into the hospital for his final days.  Being young, his heart was strong and lingered until he was tired of being here and wanted to go back home to his own bed.  I knew part of what he wanted was familiar faces, so for the next 14 days I went to his house (at both his and his mother's invitation as both a friend and nurse).  Many times there is a critical need that I can help problem solve, and I feel this is God's intervention  putting a nurse in a spot to help someone in need.  This past weekend I attended his memorial and rejoiced in his life and his release from pain and suffering.

Samantha K

I was clothes' shopping with my husband who was in the fitting rooms.  he called out to me and walked out looking a little pale.  "There's a man bunched up on the floor in there", he said.  I walked back there with heart racing preparing for CPR.  I touched him on the shoulder and asked, "Are you alright?"  He slowly got up and said, "I was praying."  Needless to say I was relieved, however it has been a fun story to tell at parties.

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