Happy Valentines Day! This is my only heart quilt, made last year and I still like it - I have a big potato baking in the oven and a filet marinating in a bag for my Sweethearts dinner, along with a renewed sense of thankfulness for him.
Yesterday we had a patient go into full cardiac arrest and die in our clinic, a very rare event. In my many years in dialysis clinics, this is only the second time I've seen it - usually if they develop symptoms we have a chance to get them to the hospital emergency room. Not this time. And as we shocked her and the EMTs did CPR, her husband stood a couple of feet away, frozen. No expression. After she had been taken away, the husband came to talk to me - about MY husband! Seems they had known each other for many years back, when they were both young deputies in the Sheriffs Department. He chatted sociably for long minutes, while inside my head I was yelling at him - "DUDE!!! Your wife just DIED!!!" Finally he turned to go, picking up her bag and purse. He looked at me again and shook his head - "I guess I should have given her her Valentines present early, I got her a string of pearls, she loves pearls." And he left. And we all cried. And I came home and gave my Hunny his present, early. I hope you and everyone you love celebrate each day you have together, and realize it only takes a couple of swift seconds to make us say "I wish I had......."
10 comments:
Love your Heart quilt!
I am crying about the story of your patient. When I was having my fifth and massive heart attack 4weeks ago today I could see tears in all of my family's eyes. When they were told that I almost die I could also see the blank expressions on their faces.
It must be awfully hard to lose a patient that way--I think you're a special person for the care and compassion you show your patients. And sad though it is, it sure makes the rest of us appreciate what we have, doesn't it? Sometimes it takes a little reminding to jolt us out of complacency.
Wow.
Hmmm...I just looked at the comment I left and decided that it didn't look right (too glib). "Wow," is how I felt and I couldn't think of anything else to say. A sad "wow." A wordless "wow." I need to go hug my husband..."wow." Thanks for sharing this story.
All I can say is "Wow".
what a heart breaking story. So sad.
I love your heart quilt. I don't have a single one, but I'm going to get one started so maybe I'll have one to hang next February. Love your blog, too.
Having been in directly connected to the same type place you work in, I held my breath until we knew my brother was ok. I am so glad that husband had you there, a connection to something normal, familiar, during those first few moments of shock and realization. Thanks for being there...Some of the angels God uses have been here on earth all along.
I'm going to go mop up my face and call my brother.
Pam@
www.pamgwillim.com
OMG...SuBee,that man was in shock big time and needed you. His law enforcement training kicked in to keep him in check. What a sad day for him and more to come. God put you there 'cause w/His grace you handle these situations. I know you go home and collape and rightly so.
I am so sorry dear lady. This is so shocking whenever it happens. I had a patient recently who had an uncomplicated lap-chole and came back to her room, and promptly coded. We worked and worked and worked...to no avail. Just no cause! and a frantic family...I just felt so bad. The anesthesiologist sat down after it was all over, put his head in his hands, and cried...
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