September 2012
Constance
Austin
,
RN, BSN
Intermediate Care Unit - Oakwood Heritage Hospital
Oakwood Healthcare System
Dearborn
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

Connie was recently working with a 57 year old male with a new diagnosis of lung cancer. The prognosis was poor and the patient was having a difficult time with it. His roommate gave the patient some devotional reading materials and talked to him about a book called "Ninety Minutes in Heaven." The patient listened but was not interested in the book, as he was not accepting his diagnosis at this time.

Over the next couple of days, Connie took the time to sit and talk with the patient about religion, which seemed to occupy the majority of his thoughts. By the end Connie's third day in a row, the patient was transferred up to the general medical floor. Connie went up to visit the patient and he was again reading the devotional materials that were given to him by his previous roommate and talking about his interest in "Ninety Minutes in Heaven."

After her visit, Connie left work and went to the mall and purchased the book for the patient. She drove back to work and presented the patient with the book. He was so grateful and overwhelmed, he cried and took her hand and kissed it. He was genuinely touched by the fact that she was reaching out and trying to comfort him, basically a stranger and no longer her patient. Although Connie frequently goes above and beyond for her patients, this patient touched her heart and I know that she will never forget him or this experience.