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Bitter Sweet Love Story
Posted by at 6/9/2008 5:13:21 PM
Our hospital experienced a heart-wrenching scene yesterday; a writer couldn’t have surpassed the drama and tears.
Jane, a 28 year old cancer patient has been in our ICU for the past week. The cancer in her bone has metastasized to her lungs. She has developed a viral pneumonia due to her weakened state. We have been struggling to keep her off the ventilator, using bipap mask, high flow O2 and small doses of morphine to keep her calm and help her breathe. Specialists consulted in the “big city” tell us there are no further treatment for this type of cancer and nothing more to do, than just support her and keep her comfortable.
Jane is engaged. Her fiancé Bill and his mother spend a great deal of time at her bedside. Over the past few days Jane’s condition deteriorated, she remained alert, but for how much longer no one knew. Doctors told the family death was eminent, and they couldn’t guarantee Jane would survive the next couple of days. Bill and Jane desperately wanted to marry before it was too late.
Bill’s mother rushed to the local courthouse to obtain marriage license paper work. The hospital service excellence team jumped into action; consulting with our legal team, notarizing the paperwork, and calling the hospital chaplain services. With signed and notarized papers in hand, Bill’s mother rushed back to the courthouse to get them filed. As fate would have it, a squirrel had eaten through electrical wiring at the courthouse so it had been closed down for the rest of the day. Disappointed and upset she returned to the hospital. The family desperately wanted to get the paper work filed that day. You see there is a law in our state requiring a three-day waiting period between filing and a wedding ceremony. Everyone was afraid Jane would not survive three days.
Not knowing who else to turn to, Bill’s mother called a local Seattle TV station to tell them of the couple’s plight. A reporter showed up outside the hospital. The leading evening news story featured Bill tearfully explaining the couples’ plight. At the county auditor appeared in our hospital ICU to sign the papers and waive the three-day waiting period! It's amazing what a little publicity will do for the slow wheels of government. The wedding was on.
Despite the hour, dietary provided a beautiful cake, sparking cider and champagne glasses. PCU donated a bouquet of flowers. ICU staff decorated the room, found music, and provided the bride with a red heart-shaped pillow. Jane’s nurse Misty acted as Maid of Honor and our Patient Care Supervisor stepped in as the flower girl and wedding photographer. Ben our hospital minister arrived to perform the ceremony.
Of course, in the morning we had TV cameras outside the hospital filming and crowd control issues in the unit. Complete strangers showed up at our doors to bring the happy couple cards, flowers and the like — but we handled it. Bill, Jane and the entire family were so very grateful. It was truly a heart-warming day. Some days you just can’t beat this nursing gig!
Comments
I think this is a wonderful story! Sounds like the loved ones accepted the pts fate and acted to make her remaining time meaningful for her. I work in a neuro intensive care unit and have good and bad days when it comes to families accepting what is right for the patient. They unknowing are always thinking about themselves instead of their loved one. Anyone out there know what I'm talking about?
Posted by:
Sharon
at
6/15/2008 7:19:57 PM
Only too well! I work on an oncology unit and deal with that very thing more often than not. It's so difficult to let go of a loved one and all we can do is be supportive and available if and when they change their mind about "doing everything". Fortunately we have a multi-disciplinary team that includes palliative care Dr's that eventually are able to guide families to the best decision for their loved one. I unfortunately had to make that decision myself recently as my mothers condition deteriorated. Thankfully I was able to draw on my faith and all my past experiences as an oncology nurse and make the decision to have her Hospice team provide her with medications for comfort only. She died very peacefully on April 1st. Not an easy choice but definitely the best choice for her. Perhaps it's easier for those of us who work in health care and see these life and death situations on a daily basis. I can only pray for strength and comfort for anyone having to make that kind of choice.
Posted by:
Kim
at
6/16/2008 10:03:12 PM
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Categories:
Relationships in Nursing
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