Jennifer Fech
Long term care story:
I worked in long-term care when I was a nursing student. When I came on shift, the RN called me over to help her assess a patient. I walked in to see a very pale, elderly man sweating profusely and moving around restlessly.
I noticed the 5 or 6 black Concentration Camp numbers tattooed on his left forearm. I immediately started a head-to-toe assessment and quickly found the enlarged bladder when I reached his abdomen. We put a foley catheter in and I saw a wave of relief slowly pass over him as the urine was finally released. His movements and sweating slowed. I felt incredibly satisfied (and like a Superstar!) to ease the suffering of someone who had obviously suffered so much already in life.
This story helps to remind me of my purpose, to continue learning, and opportunities presented to us. What seemed like such a simple procedure had such a profound impact for this man.
Remembering my Brother, Mark (far right in photo):
My brother died in a work-related accident in March 1999. It was spring break, and I was home from school. I didn’t have University classes that day (I was a 3rd year nursing student). He was excited to be able to earn some money that week since he was in grade 12.
I was the only member of my immediate family in town, so someone close by came to take me to the emergency room (ER). At this point, I only knew that he had been in an accident at work. The ER Nurse sat right next to me in the room. When the Doctor gave me the news that my brother had passed, the ER Nurse ensured she was with me. I’m quite sure she was Mark’s Nurse, so she already knew the outcome. I think that may be why she came and sat right beside me.
She lived out the definition of compassion by walking those first difficult moments of grief right beside me. She sat with me and did not leave. This was 24 years ago, and this story still makes me very emotional. I will never forget her, and what she did for me that day.
My Airplane story:
I had just managed to settle my fussy 3-year-old child on our midnight flight out of Edmonton when I heard the call for medical help over the airplane intercom. I saw 1 person walk by, assumed he was going to help, and sat quietly to ensure my child stayed settled.
A bit of guilt crept in, and I decided that I should respond as well, just to make sure things were OK! The person who was attending was a new medical resident and was quite relieved someone else came! The passenger was lying on the floor. He looked pale but was awake and talking so I used the available medical kit (Stethoscope, manual BP cuff) to do an assessment. I could not hear a thing with that stethoscope – no lung sounds or heartbeat with all the sounds on a plane! I had to rely on the tick of the BP cuff needle to see where his BP was at! After a brief discussion, I determined he was dehydrated, so we hydrated him with fluids.
Jennifer Fech, RN, NP