Picture: Earl Mullis, MD; Lori Mullis, RN
In the last few months I have had the opportunity to work closely with Lori in her role with cardiac patients. One of the things I have come to realize about Lori is that she has a huge heart full of care and compassion. She is also able to set limits and hold others accountable in a very kind but firm fashion. One particular patient comes to mind when I think of a recent example of Lori going above and beyond, showing concern and compassion, and setting limits.
Recently a patient presented to the cardiac clinic with a chronic disease requiring a transplant, a complex procedure, or hospice. The patient is extremely intelligent and for most of his life, he has had to deal with a chronic illness that caused one complication after another, severely limiting his freedom and independence. Lori began working with this patient and his significant other in conjunction with other health care team members to develop an action plan for treatment. The combination of intellect/ success typically does not go well with loss of control. Lori found out early on that this patient was going to be a challenge, in every sense of the word.
Lori worked hours with the patient and his significant other to assist in the education and evaluation process. In order for the patient to be considered for an aggressive treatment option, he had to be able to comply with recommendations and ensure that he would have support post discharge. On multiple admissions the patient displayed some behaviors that were not acceptable, thereby almost alienating him from potential caregivers (in house and post-discharge). All along the way, Lori saw more than others did in this patient and wanted more than anything to give him an opportunity to gain his independence and worth back – to give him a second chance at a life full of opportunity that had been taken away at an early age.
Lori never lost hope that she would break through to the patient. She never gave up on him and she encouraged others around her to take a step back and try to understand what he had gone through and learn how to effectively deal with him. After working w/ the patient for weeks, Lori finally broke through to him, understanding for the most part how to deal w/ him effectively. She told a story to the team at a meeting where she compared him to “Lieutenant Dan” in Forrest Gump….. at the time that Lieutenant Dan jumped off of the boat to “Find his God”…. Our patient was Lieutenant Dan and this procedure was his last opportunity to “Find his God”.
Prior to the patient having his procedure, Lori met with the leadership of the unit where he would reside to request that she be able to work with the staff on how to effectively deal w/ the patient pre and post op. She proactively met with as many staff as she could to teach them how to respond to unacceptable behaviors and set limits.
The patient did receive the procedure; he may or may not ever change his outlook on life. However, the difference is, now he has the chance to be more independent, to walk without tiring out, and to do things that most of us take for granted every day. In many ways, Lori is the reason that he now has this chance.
The neat thing about Lori is that she would and does go above and beyond for ALL of her patients. She has the unique ability to look beyond the negative in people and focus on the positive and on the hope that lies ahead. This is just one example, there are many, many others. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to get to know Lori and learn from her.