Day 13: My Patient & Lifehouse
I have an incredible patient that I have been working with for the last two weeks who I now consider a dear friend. His admitting diagnosis was a "T3-T7 laminectomy," but there was much more to his story than I knew of before that initial evaluation.
This man is a husband, a father and a grandfather to 2 kids he adores. He is 64YO, retired and loves caring for his 2 pups back home. He has a strong spirit, is always smiling and never gives you below 110% during any treatment session. He is motivated, always ready to learn and can make you laugh at a drop of a hat.
It gives me energy and hope to be a part of his treatment team and I am so thankful that I met him when I did. He is an absolute blessing and an angel in my eyes. It was an honor to get to know him and it breaks my heart to know that he will not be with us much longer.
It took me a while to understand that; the words, "not be with us much longer." The fact that there was an "end" to someone so great, so kind, so driven was beyond me. Something I did not process when I completed my first chart review a few weeks ago. His admitting diagnosis was trivial when I finally discovered that his cancer had come back and that he was not going to get any better.
The last few days have been hard. We have cried several times together this week but somehow always part in laughter. I hate that I am leaving tomorrow; that I will not be there to send him off when he heads back home next week, but I know God is watching over him and his family.
I can't seem to get his face out of my mind this evening; he makes this experience and this profession worth pursuing, no matter how much it will hurt when I learn of his departure. He has been a blessing as he has taught me so much during the last few weeks: not to sweat the small stuff, to laugh and laugh often, to relax and enjoy life and tell those you care for that you love them every chance you get.
Today was hard as he was extremely fatigued and not able to participate in his therapy sessions; that was not like him, because he never wanted you to see him or view him as weak. However, having seen him this way, it became clear that it was time for him to go home. We discussed his discharge plan this afternoon and decided that getting him home as soon as possible would be best for him and his family.
He will always be a part of me, that is for sure. I will never forget how it felt after he was able to transfer from his wheelchair to his bed (uphill) using a slide board with min assist. He was diagnosed with spinal mets & presented similarly to a SCI patient; paralysis in his legs and minimal strength in his arms. Transferring him that first day took 2 people with all the gusto we had. The look on his face when he realized we had accomplished that same transfer with just me and him was beyond exciting. He said, "Hot dog! That was just you and me on that one!" We were inseparable after that.
Tonight, I dedicate "You and Me" to this wonderful man and the family that continues to support him. I pray that his family will be without worry, fear or pain over the next few days; I do not worry so much for him, because I know of his strength and his positive spirit. He will be making those around him laugh continuously until he is ready to go...
If you feel that you love someone, don't hold back. Tell them the first chance you get and never stop reminding them from that point forward.
I have an incredible patient that I have been working with for the last two weeks who I now consider a dear friend. His admitting diagnosis was a "T3-T7 laminectomy," but there was much more to his story than I knew of before that initial evaluation.
This man is a husband, a father and a grandfather to 2 kids he adores. He is 64YO, retired and loves caring for his 2 pups back home. He has a strong spirit, is always smiling and never gives you below 110% during any treatment session. He is motivated, always ready to learn and can make you laugh at a drop of a hat.
It gives me energy and hope to be a part of his treatment team and I am so thankful that I met him when I did. He is an absolute blessing and an angel in my eyes. It was an honor to get to know him and it breaks my heart to know that he will not be with us much longer.
It took me a while to understand that; the words, "not be with us much longer." The fact that there was an "end" to someone so great, so kind, so driven was beyond me. Something I did not process when I completed my first chart review a few weeks ago. His admitting diagnosis was trivial when I finally discovered that his cancer had come back and that he was not going to get any better.
The last few days have been hard. We have cried several times together this week but somehow always part in laughter. I hate that I am leaving tomorrow; that I will not be there to send him off when he heads back home next week, but I know God is watching over him and his family.
I can't seem to get his face out of my mind this evening; he makes this experience and this profession worth pursuing, no matter how much it will hurt when I learn of his departure. He has been a blessing as he has taught me so much during the last few weeks: not to sweat the small stuff, to laugh and laugh often, to relax and enjoy life and tell those you care for that you love them every chance you get.
Today was hard as he was extremely fatigued and not able to participate in his therapy sessions; that was not like him, because he never wanted you to see him or view him as weak. However, having seen him this way, it became clear that it was time for him to go home. We discussed his discharge plan this afternoon and decided that getting him home as soon as possible would be best for him and his family.
He will always be a part of me, that is for sure. I will never forget how it felt after he was able to transfer from his wheelchair to his bed (uphill) using a slide board with min assist. He was diagnosed with spinal mets & presented similarly to a SCI patient; paralysis in his legs and minimal strength in his arms. Transferring him that first day took 2 people with all the gusto we had. The look on his face when he realized we had accomplished that same transfer with just me and him was beyond exciting. He said, "Hot dog! That was just you and me on that one!" We were inseparable after that.
Tonight, I dedicate "You and Me" to this wonderful man and the family that continues to support him. I pray that his family will be without worry, fear or pain over the next few days; I do not worry so much for him, because I know of his strength and his positive spirit. He will be making those around him laugh continuously until he is ready to go...
If you feel that you love someone, don't hold back. Tell them the first chance you get and never stop reminding them from that point forward.
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