Karen York was in charge and I received a patient from the Emergency Department who had just found out that she had cancer that had spread throughout her body. This lady had come in for a stomach ache. Needless to say, she and her husband were in shock and grief. This patient was hurting all over. Her husband was crying. She wanted to get up on the bedside commode but was too weak. Karen was in charge and happened to come to the door and ask if I needed assistance. She came in and we helped the patient to the bedside commode, then the patient started crying because she could not stand to be touched and needed help back to the bed. Karen asked me to get her special orange blossom bath wash from her bag; she is always prepared with special care products when her patients need it. She bathed the patient with a warm sudsy orange blossom bath water and then picked this patient up in her arms as if she were a child and gently laid her back in bed. I could not believe it because the patient never cried out in pain, she was actually smiling when she was laid on the bed.
I have heard some people say that nurses are angels and after watching Karen care for this patient, I agree. The husband was so happy to see his wife cared for in this special way by such a loving and caring nurse.