I am a mother, and my 21-year old daughter is in 1-3F ICU right on a ventilator. She was diagnosed as Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I feel desperate watching my daughter lying there. How much I hope she can get better and talk to me again. I know there is a visiting limitation to prevent infection. Still, I wait and sit at the door of the ICU all day long. The high cost of the ICU has added to the burden on our family. We sold our apartment to pay for the bill. All I want is for my daughter to get better. Meanwhile, I feel tired and desperate.
One afternoon, I was reviewing the bills when I saw Chen Ting, the primary nurse taking care of my daughter. She saw me and said to me: "Hello, S's mother, I am your daughter's nurse, Chen Ting." She smiled and I felt her warmth and kindness. I asked her how my daughter was and did she pass the stool yet. She told me that she was stable and very brave. Chen was optimistic about treatment. Suddenly, I started crying. My daughter was so nice and brave. Why did this happen to her? Chen gave me a tissue and held my hands. I held her hands like grasping a life-saving rope. I said: "I am so tired. Life is too hard. Sometimes I would like to leave the world with my daughter!" Chen hugged me. For the first time, I felt support. Chen said: "I know you are so sad, but S needs you so much right now. You have to keep holding on. The treatment process is long and complicated, and we have to believe that S will get better." Chen listened to me and encouraged me. She gave me the opportunity to vent my negative energy instead of storing it up in my heart. After this, I could carry on. I would never give up on my daughter.
Later I realized that Chen missed her dinner because of spending time with me. As family of a patient in ICU, Chen cared for me as well. Life is tough and nurses like Chen helped us move on. Thank you, Chen, for your empathy and kindness!