Connie had a very difficult patient. He was not the typical type of difficult patient that most nurses would think about when they hear the word "difficult"; this patient was very emotionally difficult. Connie provided true caring for him in a very compassionate special way.
This patient had recently retired and he and his wife were looking forward to the future. Then he received a diagnosis he was not expecting. Two months into retirement he found out he had cancer. And, he was not responding well to the treatment when Connie met him.
He was especially emotional one night. He shared that, on top of having terminal cancer, being in the hospital during the holidays was really hard. And, to make it even worse, he also shared how hard it was for him to spend his upcoming wedding anniversary in the hospital. Connie could tell that this was really important to him. She asked him what he would typically do for his wife if he was at home. He stated he would get her flowers and a cake.
Connie made it happen. She took it upon herself to make sure that her patient had what he needed to make this the best anniversary possible for him and his wife, in the hospital. She went out, got a cake from DQ. She got beautiful flowers for him to give to his wife. They had this special celebration and time together because of Connie's special compassion, listening, care and empathy. Sadly, it turned out to be his last anniversary celebration.
Connie's care and gifts were from her heart. She demonstrated to us that good nursing, and compassionate nursing is more than good physical care; it is care of the entire patient, specifically the patient's spirit. She did just that.