Insight for Today - 12/5
{tap}{tap}...Is this thing on?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Getting There
Posts: 276
Insight for Today - 12/5
Real Love - What It Is
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, presented to have sutures removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing that it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch, and decided that as I was not busy with another patient I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.
As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in 5 years now. I was surprised, and asked him.
"And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought that is the kind of love I want in my life. I have retold this story many times, and still get goose bumps when I tell it.
As retold by Cheryl Shoemaker, Emergency Room Nurse
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, presented to have sutures removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing that it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch, and decided that as I was not busy with another patient I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.
As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in 5 years now. I was surprised, and asked him.
"And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought that is the kind of love I want in my life. I have retold this story many times, and still get goose bumps when I tell it.
As retold by Cheryl Shoemaker, Emergency Room Nurse
Queen of one liners
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: walking beside you! Not in front of you.
Posts: 658
Thank you Petunia,
That's a beautiful reminder that no matter where we are or where our loved ones are at any given moment....we still know who they are...
More importantly, I need to be reminded that my H.P. knows who and where each of us is at...Even those who at the moment are the hardest to love.
Love Aunt Daffy
That's a beautiful reminder that no matter where we are or where our loved ones are at any given moment....we still know who they are...
More importantly, I need to be reminded that my H.P. knows who and where each of us is at...Even those who at the moment are the hardest to love.
Love Aunt Daffy
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