Oliver Gfell
April 2024
Oliver
Gfell
,
RN
6 West MedSurg
Kaiser Permanente San Marcos Medical Center
San Diego
,
CA
United States
As the relief rapidly rushed me to sleep, I thanked him, saying, “I guess it’s okay not to hurt.” Oliver smiled at me and covered me as he said, “It’s okay not to be stoic.”
On the 3rd week after a Fundoplication Surgery, as I crawl into bed at night still sore, I still pretend that Oliver is here to tuck me in.
For the few short hours of the night following the surgery, he was my cheerful, reassuring companion through my painful journey, comforting with empathy that was genuine. He listened to me and respected my intelligence. He did not say so, but it was clear he’d studied my case. Oliver knew I was uneasy about taking Opioid pain medication. I refused a second dose earlier in the day and asked him for an ice pack for my throbbing pain. Later in the day I called him back and he saw I was shaking with pain, Oliver let me be the one to request another dose. As Oliver administered it, he named the drugs, first the anti-nausea, giving me a double dose of that, and then “the Narcotic” as he knew that’s how I thought of it. As the relief rapidly rushed me to sleep, I thanked him, saying, “I guess it’s okay not to hurt.” Oliver smiled at me and covered me as he said, “It’s okay not to be stoic.”
Later I accidentally hit the call button, Oliver was by me within seconds with his cheerfulness. I apologized for pressing the button. Then I noticed the beautiful tattoos on his arms. I came to life exclaiming how I’d studied oceanography and my deep love and respect for these marine life animals. Oliver burst back, saying he used to teach scuba diving, and we both carried on joyfully talking about our love for animals.
Where was my pain?? …. Oliver had taken it away.
Two weeks after discharge, I returned to the 6 West unit to request a DAISY Nomination form for Oliver. The person smiled deeply & said we know about Oliver. He is our gentle giant.
For the few short hours of the night following the surgery, he was my cheerful, reassuring companion through my painful journey, comforting with empathy that was genuine. He listened to me and respected my intelligence. He did not say so, but it was clear he’d studied my case. Oliver knew I was uneasy about taking Opioid pain medication. I refused a second dose earlier in the day and asked him for an ice pack for my throbbing pain. Later in the day I called him back and he saw I was shaking with pain, Oliver let me be the one to request another dose. As Oliver administered it, he named the drugs, first the anti-nausea, giving me a double dose of that, and then “the Narcotic” as he knew that’s how I thought of it. As the relief rapidly rushed me to sleep, I thanked him, saying, “I guess it’s okay not to hurt.” Oliver smiled at me and covered me as he said, “It’s okay not to be stoic.”
Later I accidentally hit the call button, Oliver was by me within seconds with his cheerfulness. I apologized for pressing the button. Then I noticed the beautiful tattoos on his arms. I came to life exclaiming how I’d studied oceanography and my deep love and respect for these marine life animals. Oliver burst back, saying he used to teach scuba diving, and we both carried on joyfully talking about our love for animals.
Where was my pain?? …. Oliver had taken it away.
Two weeks after discharge, I returned to the 6 West unit to request a DAISY Nomination form for Oliver. The person smiled deeply & said we know about Oliver. He is our gentle giant.