There are heroes everywhere, and this morning mine are at the Massey Cancer center.
My husband is here for his six hour treatment, and a young nurse we’ve not seen before was assigned to him. She’s very sweet, but started the day by dropping her clipboard and accidentally unplugging the blood pressure machine.
We laughed about it, until she tried to insert the IV needle.
She fished around Neil’s arm for more than a minute, which is a long time when you have a needle in your vein. I watched Neil grimace in pain, and she apologized.
Then she tried again. . .
I have spent a lot of my life in hospitals and understand the challenge of IV’s with bad veins, but Neil has rock star veins. I mean, they could win awards if there were a Vein Oscars.
I was about ready to use my best Donald Trump voice and say, “You’re Fired!” when the young nurse voluntarily called for help. Wanda, another top-notch nurse we know, stepped in.
“I’d be happy to give it a try,” she said to the young nurse. She looked at me and winked.
She had that needle in and secured in two seconds flat.
When the first chemo shot came, she told the young nurse that she’d be happy to give it to Neil.
When the IV bag was ready, Wanda miraculously appeared again to get it started.
Neil isn’t her patient today, but she knew we were worried and took care of us.
We can all be a hero to somebody . . .
Whether we’re a banker stepping in to help a frustrated customer, or the Verizon man coming to fix a line (I’m manipulating with that one – I think our yard guy mowed our phone line in two yesterday), we can help somebody breathe a sigh of relief by simply doing what we do.
Yes, there are angry, violent people in the world. But there are so many more Wanda’s – those of us who can make the world a nicer place by using our gifts and watching. . .
- Watching for someone who is momentarily struggling.
- Watching for a chance to make someone smile.
- Watching to apply our professional skills in a way that helps someone else.
- Watching to add a little value.
I’m listening to Wanda tell stories at the nurses’ station. . .
Everybody is laughing hysterically. She is as much a gift to the other nurses as she is to the patients.
A minute ago, Neil got a little nauseous and I asked if they had ginger ale. Wanda took me by the hand and led me to the “snack” cabinet, and told me to get anything I needed.
She’s the person making our lives better today.
Let’s all try to be that person for someone. Let’s add value.
It will, literally and immediately, make the world a better place.
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Donna, my heart goes out to you and Neil and all that the two of you are dealing with at the moment. I’ve been keeping you in my prayers – just wanted you to know that. My husband has a horrible fear of needles due to an incident in childhood, and will have a full-blown panic attack when he has to have blood work done or an IV. It’s so bad for him that they have notes that pop up in his medical record on how to approach him, etc. when they need to do blood work. So I applaud the young nurse who knew that she needed help, and Wanda for stepping in and getting the IV inserted properly in no time flat. It truly is little things such as this that can make or break somebody’s day. May you both be blessed and I’ll keep those prayers coming!
Thank you so much, Kim. My nephew has the same reaction due to a childhood accident . . . and, yes, I was immensely grateful that she was willing to hand it over. Showed that she had more concern for the patient! We appreciate the prayers . . . and will accept them every time :).
Kim – Thank you so much for your note and your prayers. Needles used to make me ex-husband just pass right out. And, you’re right, it is the little things. We will take those prayers and appreciate every one of them!
When my son was in treatment, I wrote a blog post about the nurses, who came to our aid so many times. My son had a tricky port to access and so we too needed to have a more experienced nurse step in from time to time. I once had a nurse ask me how I was doing, because she could clearly see the stress all over my face. I’m so glad to hear that your husband is in the home stretch of his maintenance chemo (I think I read that as one of your status updates). I will continue to send positive energy your way…
Everybody needs somebody sometimes! Wanda was yours!
And for many years, you were ours!!
My daughter may be that young nurse in a few short years. I hope that she has a “Wanda” to guide her through the difficulties in such a helpful manner. A generous spirit is so often overlooked and unnoticed. Thanks for celebrating the “Wanda’s” of the world today. Best of luck, as always, to Neil.
I’m starting to believe that nursing is a calling for elevated souls. I’m so excited that your daughter might just join those ranks. And I sent Neil your good wishes. He’s feeling good today – all ‘roided up. 🙂