On a recent evening in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, I received an elderly patient from the Operating Room following surgery to repair her fractured hip. She appeared extremely frail with her numerous bruises from the fall which had caused her injury. Moments later the Circulating Nurse for the case, Sally Sullivan, arrived at the bedside to provide a hand-off report. At the conclusion of report, Sally lowered her voice to share she was surprised the woman had survived the surgery. Because the patient had numerous health issues, the surgery was a huge risk for her.
It was obvious Sally was deeply saddened by this patient unable to have her family with her (due to the Coronavirus) prior to entering the Surgical Suite. As the surgical team worked to position and prepare the patient prior to her receiving anesthesia, Sally was concerned about her emotional well-being, wanting to make sure her last thoughts before going to sleep were pleasant.
She went on to share a brief, sweet conversation she experiences with this patient. Sally reported she leaned in close to the patient and asked her, "What is your favorite thing?" The patient whispered "Heaven". She then asked the patient, "What do you like, sunshine, or a cool breeze?" The patient responded, "A cool breeze with iced tea". Following this, the patient drifted to sleep.
Sally was moved with compassion for this patient due to the possibility she may not make it to the end of the surgery. She was so deeply touched with emotion for this patient, she spoke with tears in her eyes as she shared her experience with me.
Listening to her story, I realized while everyone was busy doing what they do in the OR preparing to be the operation, Sally's empathy led her to have these final words with the woman, in the event it may be the patient's last conversation with anyone, should she not survive. As I learned of this conversation I too was deeply moved, though not surprised because this is the gentleness that Sally displays regularly as an operating room nurse. I thought if this had been my mother or my grandmother, I would have been profoundly grateful for the genuine warmth, tenderness, and kindness my loved one would have experienced before being put to sleep for surgery.
This kind of compassion comes from deep within the heart and makes Sally a true DAISY Nurse.