Say sorry!
Today I helped a Dr with doing a bone marrow biospy on a patient. I just helped the patient lie on his side and talked loudly to the going deaf patient ... explaining what was happening and why etc.
For those of you who don't know ... a bone marrow biospy involves a very big needle going into the bone just above you bottom and withdrawing a bone specium. It is very painful.
We kept asking the patient what his pain was on a scale of 1 -10, with 10 being the worst in the world ... and he kept saying 2! We couldn't belive it!!
Afterwards, when we were cleaning him up, he told me a little story. He was a foster child growing up and his guardians used to beat him up and neglect him. One day, his guardian wanted to make him cry so he continued to really beat his hand (with one of the olden day canes, I believe). The patient still has scars on his hand with permanent indents in the middle of his palm. And he refused to cry on that day ... and now it takes a long for him to cry!!
I didn't know what to say ... and ended up saying somthing along the lines of: "I am sorry that happened to you and they did that to you. I am sorry you were in pain then and that we gave you additional pain today". And to my disbelief, the patient started crying!!
Now, I am sure there are people out there who may say that his body was recovering from the invasive procedure of a bone marrow biospy and the relief of being out of so much pain caused him to cry ... and you may be right. But I personally believe that this patient just has not been shown a lot of affection throughout his life.
I told my facilitator about this, who started crying, which got me crying!! One big cry fest!
But as my facilitator, sometimes it makes a world of a different to someone to hear the words 'I'm sorry' even if you weren't the one who was in the wrong. Just hearing those words shows that someone cares.
So, I challenge you to say sorry and/or to realise that the small things can make a huge difference.
God bless,
Blue Nurse
For those of you who don't know ... a bone marrow biospy involves a very big needle going into the bone just above you bottom and withdrawing a bone specium. It is very painful.
We kept asking the patient what his pain was on a scale of 1 -10, with 10 being the worst in the world ... and he kept saying 2! We couldn't belive it!!
Afterwards, when we were cleaning him up, he told me a little story. He was a foster child growing up and his guardians used to beat him up and neglect him. One day, his guardian wanted to make him cry so he continued to really beat his hand (with one of the olden day canes, I believe). The patient still has scars on his hand with permanent indents in the middle of his palm. And he refused to cry on that day ... and now it takes a long for him to cry!!
I didn't know what to say ... and ended up saying somthing along the lines of: "I am sorry that happened to you and they did that to you. I am sorry you were in pain then and that we gave you additional pain today". And to my disbelief, the patient started crying!!
Now, I am sure there are people out there who may say that his body was recovering from the invasive procedure of a bone marrow biospy and the relief of being out of so much pain caused him to cry ... and you may be right. But I personally believe that this patient just has not been shown a lot of affection throughout his life.
I told my facilitator about this, who started crying, which got me crying!! One big cry fest!
But as my facilitator, sometimes it makes a world of a different to someone to hear the words 'I'm sorry' even if you weren't the one who was in the wrong. Just hearing those words shows that someone cares.
So, I challenge you to say sorry and/or to realise that the small things can make a huge difference.
God bless,
Blue Nurse
posted by blue nurse | 4:41 AM
4 Comments:
that was very well written and a beautiful story shaz! I think you said exactly the right thing. Some times the abused finds that no matter who they tell about the abuse its always the same, an ackward silence. They interpret this as a silent agreement with the abuser! So when someone is able to say, 'this was wrong and it never should have happened to you', it means a lot! Good job!
Oh, that's such a beautiful story! :o)
Amazing stuff Shaz - times like those show that youare in the right place at the right time... making a difference in people's lives!
Good JOB!
I have to have a Bone Marrow Biospy tomorrow, hope I am as lucky as this fellow, to have a nurse that actually cares aout their patients. Keep up the good work, people do care.
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