Jenura Weaver
September 2021
Jenura
Weaver
,
RN
7 Towers
UofL Health-Jewish Hospital
Louisville
,
KY
United States
Jen then looked at me and said, "You look like you need a hug," and I really did.
My father is very sick suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, endocarditis, and a host of other illnesses caused by years of alcohol and drug abuse; in fact, in my 35 years, this year is the only time I have ever really seen him sober. He spent a few weeks on the 7th floor at Jewish Hospital after being transferred. I live two hours away and work as a police officer, so the commute was a big deal. I was able to keep in contact daily by getting updates from the nursing staff, some friendly and beyond helpful. I had spoken with Jen multiple times, who usually was the nurse caring for my dad. She was always so friendly and empathetic and answered and explained questions so that I could understand them.
My first visit with Dad was emotional for me as I was staring at basically a bag of bones. Losing my mom in 2016 to throat cancer and being an only child, and although we never had the true closeness a father and son should have, he is really all I have left, family-wise. Jen was upfront and matter-of-fact with me when explaining his condition and at the time mentioned the possibility of palliative care which she also had to explain. Basically, he had cirrhosis, endocarditis, fluid on his lungs but his kidneys were not functioning properly to help get the fluid off and it wasn't looking good. As Jen explained these issues, it hit me like a ton of bricks and although I work with and deal with the trauma of all kinds on a daily basis, it really hits hard when it hits home.
Jen then looked at me and said, "You look like you need a hug," and I really did. Jen gave me a hug that only a mother could give, and it truly brought comfort and relief in a truly dark period, and I appreciated that more than ever. She really did go above and beyond in not only treating her patient (who is not always easy to deal with) but also bringing comfort to the family.
My first visit with Dad was emotional for me as I was staring at basically a bag of bones. Losing my mom in 2016 to throat cancer and being an only child, and although we never had the true closeness a father and son should have, he is really all I have left, family-wise. Jen was upfront and matter-of-fact with me when explaining his condition and at the time mentioned the possibility of palliative care which she also had to explain. Basically, he had cirrhosis, endocarditis, fluid on his lungs but his kidneys were not functioning properly to help get the fluid off and it wasn't looking good. As Jen explained these issues, it hit me like a ton of bricks and although I work with and deal with the trauma of all kinds on a daily basis, it really hits hard when it hits home.
Jen then looked at me and said, "You look like you need a hug," and I really did. Jen gave me a hug that only a mother could give, and it truly brought comfort and relief in a truly dark period, and I appreciated that more than ever. She really did go above and beyond in not only treating her patient (who is not always easy to deal with) but also bringing comfort to the family.