It’s the most
wonderful time of the year, right? I like to think so. The excitement, giving,
and spirit of the holiday season typically fills my life with joy. There is
nothing like Amy Grant’s Christmas album playing with a kitchen full of baking
goods and friends and family. I think in a way I have always taken this for
granted. I thoroughly enjoy holidays with my family where we spend countless
hours laughing and competing in board games, treasuring the time we have
together. That time is precious and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
This week at work
made me grateful for my reality. For many it’s the most stressful time of the
year. Finances are tight, family problems arise, deadlines get harder, and as
Thanksgiving and Christmas loom closer the stress builds. For others, it’s the
loneliest time of the year. My suicidal patient this week told me I (as in the
hospital system) was only making her life worse by locking her away on a
holiday away from family and friends. I felt for her as this was a difficult
time and the fact of the matter was that she was safer in a facility than at
home. Yet she made a valid claim…aren’t we all better when we feel surrounded
by those we love?
Then there was my
stroke patient who was no longer capable of ambulating independently and was
admitted the day before Thanksgiving. He was grumpy and I stopped myself before
saying “Happy Thanksgiving” and changed my language, recognizing that this
Thanksgiving for him was not going to be so happy, rather potentially life
changing. He had made it very clear that he was not happy about the situation.
I held his hand and wished him well.
No one comes to the
ER because they think it will be a fun experience for the day. They come
seeking help, and on the holidays, most often because the matter is urgent. It
is always hard to see a family member in the hospital, but that weight is felt
more around holidays.
I recognized
yesterday that many whom I treated were in for a rough Thanksgiving with their
families. One family so relieved to have help for their dad, yet sitting by his
intubated side in critical condition on this Thanksgiving, and another who
buried their mother the morning of only to have their father pass suddenly that
very evening. As time of death was called shortly after arrival I began the
process of the death paperwork and stopped. The patient was dead on arrival and
we only did CPR for a few short minutes. Typically, these cases have little
emotion attached simply because we know there was nothing that could be done; however,
when everyone left the room I paused and reflected over this man’s case and
felt a pain in my heart. This family lost not one but two people in a short
span, and their joyful holiday was clouded by the sadness of loss. This man was
celebrating the life of his wife just hours before…it would be a Thanksgiving
without her…did he die of a broken heart? Usually this case wouldn’t strike a
chord, but sadness and tribulation feels greater in this most wonderful time.
Life brings its ups
and downs and it is amazing to witness and an honor to be a part of many
people’s holiday experience. It is times like these you almost feel more needed
than ever as a looming holiday adds more stress and sadness to a situation. I
hugged a daughter before leaving last night who said “You really love your job.
We need more people like you”… a small reminder of why I do what I do. I love
caring for others. While holidays are tough they present a beautiful
opportunity as a nurse to make a huge impact in someone’s life. It is an honor
to be in a position to bring stability and peace to the chaos. For that I am
grateful.
To my nurses working
today, thank you for working and remember you have the ability to make an extra
special difference for someone today. Happy Thanksgiving.
