On Sunday I was approaching home after a 20-mile bicycle ride. Within sight of my house, a dog came out from a neighbor's yard and ran straight in front of me. Unable to avoid it, I hit it broadside, sending me over the handlebars and onto the pavement. I was able to pull myself off the highway, but that was all. Luckily two neighbors arrived on the scene, calling 911, and staying with me until the ambulance came. After x-rays in the emergency room, I learned that I had a broken hip, and was scheduled for surgery the next morning.
I arrived at the hospital without the benefit of a hot shower than usually comes at the end of a hard ride. After surgery, I was able to use a pan of water and wash cloth to clean up as far as I could reach in the front of my body, and head and face.
I first met nurse Penny when she was on night duty. I don't recall if it was the first or second night after my surgery. My still sweaty feet were covered by compression hose, and the socks that were used when my physical therapist got me up to walk in the afternoon. During the night, the combination of dirty feet and the two layers of socks started to annoy me to the point of pain. My feet felt hot, and the compression hose had wrinkled under the outer pair of socks on my right foot, digging into my heel. It felt like torture. I rang for the nurse, and Penny arrived. I told her about my discomfort, and she offered to remove the outer socks, roll up the compression hose, and wash my feet. I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to have my feet cleaned. Such a simple act, but it brings tears to my eyes even now thinking about it. Not only did Penny wash my feet, she washed and applied lotion to my back as well. I felt truly comfortable and relieved.
I was blessed to have Penny as the nurse on call for additional nights during my stay. Each night, I found her to be professional in the care that she gave, providing it was the touch of human compassion that means so much when you're a patient in that situation. I learned her last name and about her family. She told me that her father was a minister, and her hero. How appropriate, since her act of washing my feet made me think of Jesus' example of love and service when he washed the feet of disciples.
All of the nurses that I encountered during my stay at Meadowview were wonderful. But I hope that I never forget Penny Hollins' beautiful and special expression of human concern.