April 2013
Elizabeth "Liz"
Galloway
,
RN, BSN, CAPA
Ambulatory Surgery
Northern Westchester Hospital
Mount Kisco
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

Liz was caring for an elderly gentleman who was scheduled for major surgery. His wife was in attendance. The gentleman's surgery was delayed for an extended period due to an emergency. The man became anxious and upset and voiced that his concern was for his wife, not the delay. He explained that his wife was diabetic and had not eaten and she would not leave his side until he went into surgery. Liz got a food tray for the wife and brought it to the room. The man happily watched his wife eat and commented that she had chocolate chip cookies on the tray and that they were his favorite.
The gentleman had his surgery and all went well. Liz checked on the wife periodically during her wait and then escorted her to his room postoperatively.
The next morning Liz stopped by to check on the gentleman and brought him chocolate chip cookies.