When You Remember Why

I've recently had some very emotional cases at work. Supporting patients and their families in desperate situations faced with major life-changing decisions...one of the hardest parts of being a nurse. I'd like to think that most people become nurses because they are filled with compassion and genuine concern for their fellow man. I know, however that's not always the case. I definitely can get wrapped up in the routine of things, but every so often you meet someone or witness something that brings it all home again. This is yet another time I see God working in me and through me. For instance, over the weekend I had a patient who became critically ill. This patient is one I've known my entire nursing career and who I have developed somewhat of a relationship with. She's as single mother of two, the older of whom has moved away from home. The younger was a sixteen-year-old boy who spends most of his days caring for his chronically ill mother. This young man has the weight of the world on his shoulders, but I've never heard him complain. He misses a lot of school because he has to help his mom to doctors appts, dialysis, cook, clean, etc. They have no family in the area only friends they can call on to lend support if they can. He spends his nights with her in the hospital, sleeps on the couch and takes care of her every need. On Sunday she became seriously ill and it looked as though things were grim. I took one look at her son's face and flashed back to my own past. I too had been in a similar situation at that age. I knew he was scared. His whole world was turning upside down, it looked like his mother was going to die and nothing would ever be the same. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged as tight as I could. He was so brave and shed only one tear. Fortunately they are believers and have a great church family who were very supportive. The waiting room was filled with praying friends and I'm happy to say, when I returned to work today I met good news. She had survived and looked like she would be Ok for the time being. I know God answered our prayers. He put me there for her and for her son so I could support them. I remembered then why I became nurse.