This particular patient was very, very ill at one time. As a matter of fact, there was a point when we were all afraid that he would not survive through his cancer treatment. He is a real quiet person who didn't freely complain but he really, really suffered and we knew it. Our hearts broke as we saw him lose more and more weight and become desperately ill. He suffered more than most.
He did survive, though, and I get to receive the sweet hugs and smiles when I see him. He hugs me because he is just so grateful to be alive. He sees me as part of the reason he lives. I love seeing him. I always walk away feeling lighter. He makes me feel like a heroine.
After I left him yesterday, though, I started thinking about the other nurses that gave him chemotherapy. I plan to ask them if they ever see him. I know it would make them feel so good about the work we did together. Then, I started thinking about how really it wasn't us who saved him. I was mentally giving credit to the doctor who prescribed the chemo that we gave. Her knowledge and expertise were what saved him.
After mentally honoring the doctor for a bit, I thought even further back in the process. I thought about those who worked years on clinical trials to test the medications we gave this patient. There were patients and clinical personnel alike who were a part of those trials. I mentally honored them for what they did to make these drugs available to our patient.
Then, I thought further back yet. Before the clinical trials there were scientists and other researchers who came up with the theories and recipes for chemo medications. These people work years to perfect their products. They likely never see the patients who benefit from their work. What I did as a chemotherapy nurse would not ever have been possible without all those people! Behind every little vial of chemotherapy we put into our patients, there was years of work and likely hundreds or even thousands of people who played a part in making it available. They all deserve the credit.
Yet, I am the one who receives the hugs.
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(photo from FREEDIGITALPHOTOS.NET / Bill Longshaw)
10 comments:
Wow - what a touching post. It's interesting the number of people that are involved in our lives that we've never even met. Your post touches me personally and is a powerful reminder. Thanks for sharing! (visiting from Thriving Thursdays)
~Taylor-Made Ranch~
Wolfe City, Texas
www.taylormaderanch.com/blog
How true. I love the way you think!
Amazing how long the chain is, isn't it?
Such a heart-warming and inspiring post! Thank you! :)
Very true! Here's hoping for even better cancer breakthroughs tomorrow...
You received the sweet hugs because you were the one out of that long line of healers who chose the front line... the down and dirty... the place where you come face to face with your patient's fears and their joy. You deserved that hug and all the others because you would risk sharing this with them. blessings ~ tanna
Wow, powerful blog. Reminds me that we all stand on the shoulders of many others. Thanks!
Thank you for the kind remarks. As Pam says, we do all stand on the shoulders of others. That is true in so many parts of our lives. Think about how many people contributed to our ability to drive a car! From the person who thought of the wheel on to Henry Ford and everyone after that. It is pretty humbling.
Such a beautiful post. What a gorgeous heart you have. We all really reap the benefit of so many and their gifting and skills. People need people. xxx
Elizabeth, you are so right! Even though we value our independence, we do indeed need each other.
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