Last Wednesday, I went into Strong Memorial Hospital to get Colo-Rectal Surgery. I never have had surgery before, and being a husband and father of two children I was extremely nervous. Three days later I left the hospital feeling indebted to my family, my doctor, and a truly amazing nurse named Charlotte Curran.
I was greeted by Charlotte at approximately 4:30 pm on Wednesday. Right away I wanted to get up and walk a lap around the Colo-Rectal Unit knowing this would speed up my recovery (I tend to be on the hyper side). Right away Charlotte could sense my active personality and instead of warning me, she asked me if I wanted to take a second lap (while she had a big smile on her face). After completing another lap, and before I could ask for a third, she quickly said, "I think that's good for today." Right away I knew she would challenge me and also know when to call it quits. For the next thirty minutes, my wife and I got to know her. Charlotte's sense of humor and kindness immediately made me feel at ease. My wife was so exhausted and wanted to stay with me. However, after talking to Charlotte, she gave me a kiss and said, "You are in great hands!"
No matter who came into the room, Charlotte introduced them to me and told everyone in such a funny way that he's going to be one of "those patients." "Someone who will be active, so make sure he does not do too much." After hearing I teach fourth grade, she said I don't know how you do it and that your kids must love you! When her shift was over she introduced me to my new nurse and told me that she would be back on Friday. I immediately went to her supervisor the next day to make sure she would be my nurse on Friday. For my three day stay, I got to know amazing nurses, doctors, technicians, and nutritionists, but there was only one Charlotte. Even on Friday, she made me laugh, and was such a great teacher when it came to what I should expect, how I should feel, and what I need to do to get better. However, it was Friday afternoon when I observed her with patients that truly made me aware of what a special young lady she really is.
I happened to see her with two elderly patients while she was walking them. Instead of telling them, you are doing too much in a funny voice (like she did with me), she was gently encouraging them. If I have learned one thing in my 21 years of teaching fourth grade, it's that every child is different, and every child learns differently. Charlotte was treating every patient differently. With some patients (like me) she's not afraid to tell those to slow down; with other patients, they may need gentle encouragement. Some patients respond to humor, while others respond to compassion. Charlotte used all these attributes on a Friday afternoon without even thinking about it. It was like second nature to her! Before she left on that Friday, (the last day I would see her), we talked about our families and our careers. She then left me with the following statement----"You got this!" Encouragement in the beginning, encouragement in the end. At 7:00 pm Friday night, she was right. I had this! Tomorrow I could go home!
Even though this is something I never want to go through again, I had an incredible experience in the Colo-Rectal Unit. Most importantly I had a nurse with a great sense of humor, a wonderful teacher, who showed compassion, and believed in my recovery.
Strong Memorial's vision statement is "Medicine of the Highest Order." Strong will "set the standard for compassion and innovation, always placing patients and their families first." I truly believe that is what Charlotte's vision is as well. I hope everyone realizes what a great nurse, and an even better person they have in her!