An eighty-three-year-old patient was assigned to Lugenia (Lu) Massey, RN in the medical unit. As Lu was rendering care to the elderly patient, the patient noticed Lu's wedding set and commented on how pretty it was. She then went on to say that she lost her wedding band over a year ago in the local Walmart. The patient stated she had been married for 63 years and was very hurt by the loss of her ring.
Over a year ago, Lu found a wedding band on the floor in the local Walmart. Lugenia took the ring home and placed it in her jewelry box with thoughts to try finding its owner. Over time, she forgot it was even there! She had no further thoughts regarding the ring until her patient mentioned the loss.
Lu went home after her shift, found the ring, and placed it in her workbag for her return to work that night. She shared the story with two fellow nurses who accompanied her to the patient's room as witnesses. Lu never told the patient what the ring she found looked like, but the patient stated that her ring had six diamonds. Lu handed the patient the ring and asked if it was hers. The patient immediately began to cry and told the nurses that she never told anyone except her husband that she lost her ring. She randomly mentioned it to Lu! The ring fit the patient like a Cinderella shoe and matched her solitaire. The patient phoned her husband right away, still crying about the discovery. He was also in disbelief. This happened right before Christmas, and the patient stated it was the best gift she could receive.
The patient has since been in the hospital and always asks for Lu. This nurse made a difference that the patient and her family will never forget!