Tenaya Thurston
July 2019
Tenaya
Thurston
,
RN, PCCN, NREMT-P
ICU
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
Charlottesville
,
VA
United States
This is not a recommendation for a "job well done". It is much more. It is about a relationship, no, THE relationship between a young nurse, Tenaya, and my 92-year-old aunt.
We entered the ER for something we thought was simple - an IV antibiotic. Two days later she was in the ICU. This is where Tenaya entered our story.
My aunt had a mind that was as sharp as a twenty year old and the knowledge of a life well lived. During the 4 years she lived with us, there were mornings when I asked, "how are you today?" that she would respond, "if something could hurt it does" but without complaining. Later she would add, "After all, I am 92".
Our first morning in the ICU, Tenaya, beaming with cheer, entered the room. She set the tone. Every time she entered the room, she had that welcoming smile, those happy words; sometimes having to peer around a drawn curtain to say hello. Her efficiency was never in question. Her skill top notch. She was the best.
I think it was the second day my aunt said something like, "you are like that bad penny that keeps showing up!" (Initially, one might not think that was a nice thing to say!) To my aunt, it was like a term of endearment. Their relationship was growing. Not sure Teanya understood, I mentioned the significance of the penny to us. At first to me, a sign that God was with me; and through the years passed on, to my Aunt. When we arrived at the ER, as I was opening my aunt's door, there was our special penny. It was obviously on her mind. And to us, it is all good.
Things did not progress as we had hoped; though we never gave up hope. By Tuesday we knew we wanted to go home. Tenaya took our request and made it happen. That afternoon, her shift ending, Tenaya came in to see my aunt, but she was dozing. She wrote on her board "Thinking of you my sweet Penny! HOME tomorrow." My aunt was touched. More than touched. You see, my aunt never married; she never had children of her own. While here in the ICU, one nurse, Tenaya, treated her with such care, such compassion, such respect, letting her know how special she was and how she shared in her penny story! Then leaving her with the best news ever - HOME tomorrow.
We did make it home where my aunt wanted to be. Four hours later she died. I continue to think so highly of Tenaya. She is a gift to all who come under her care.
We entered the ER for something we thought was simple - an IV antibiotic. Two days later she was in the ICU. This is where Tenaya entered our story.
My aunt had a mind that was as sharp as a twenty year old and the knowledge of a life well lived. During the 4 years she lived with us, there were mornings when I asked, "how are you today?" that she would respond, "if something could hurt it does" but without complaining. Later she would add, "After all, I am 92".
Our first morning in the ICU, Tenaya, beaming with cheer, entered the room. She set the tone. Every time she entered the room, she had that welcoming smile, those happy words; sometimes having to peer around a drawn curtain to say hello. Her efficiency was never in question. Her skill top notch. She was the best.
I think it was the second day my aunt said something like, "you are like that bad penny that keeps showing up!" (Initially, one might not think that was a nice thing to say!) To my aunt, it was like a term of endearment. Their relationship was growing. Not sure Teanya understood, I mentioned the significance of the penny to us. At first to me, a sign that God was with me; and through the years passed on, to my Aunt. When we arrived at the ER, as I was opening my aunt's door, there was our special penny. It was obviously on her mind. And to us, it is all good.
Things did not progress as we had hoped; though we never gave up hope. By Tuesday we knew we wanted to go home. Tenaya took our request and made it happen. That afternoon, her shift ending, Tenaya came in to see my aunt, but she was dozing. She wrote on her board "Thinking of you my sweet Penny! HOME tomorrow." My aunt was touched. More than touched. You see, my aunt never married; she never had children of her own. While here in the ICU, one nurse, Tenaya, treated her with such care, such compassion, such respect, letting her know how special she was and how she shared in her penny story! Then leaving her with the best news ever - HOME tomorrow.
We did make it home where my aunt wanted to be. Four hours later she died. I continue to think so highly of Tenaya. She is a gift to all who come under her care.