These things change us

[tNs]

I was in a very bad car accident back in 1999 and am lucky to be alive all things considering. Since then, I have mellowed and appreciate life so much more.

 

[just pet]

I was in a very bad car accident back in 1999 and am lucky to be alive all things considering. Since then, I have mellowed and appreciate life so much more.

Happy you survived

What a gift, to appreciate life while we are in it
I hear so many stories of "I wish I had appreciated my (fill in the blank... health, spouse, children, poodle...) when I had them"
That is the saddest epitath "I wish I had... "

 

[MechaBlade]

I was in a very bad car accident back in 1999 and am lucky to be alive all things considering. Since then, I have mellowed and appreciate life so much more.

Mine had the opposite effect. I found myself wishing I had died in the crash.

A month later, though, I finally began enjoying life again for the first time in years.

 

[just pet]

Mine had the opposite effect. I found myself wishing I had died in the crash.

A month later, though, I finally began enjoying life again for the first time in years.

And I am especially happy you survived
You're great fantasy material

(Let's face it. It's all about me with me)

 

[JustSkye]

I'm so very glad this life I live, and live in, has people like you in it. I don't feel you're appreciated nearly enough for the love, patience, and kindness you unselfishly give to make other's live so much better.

 

[just pet]

I'm so very glad this life I live, and live in, has people like you in it. I don't feel you're appreciated nearly enough for the love, patience, and kindness you unselfishly give to make other's live so much better.

I don't suppose you're hiring, are you?

 

[Saint Peter]

I have lost a dear pet and two loved ones this year. It has been a tough year. The hospice nurses made sense where there was none, and it makes me feel very small to see what it takes to do that job. To be so personally connected and knowing those relationships might last a week or a month. To be so professional in dealing with the patient and the family, on whatever level is needed.

It is the greatest gift that one human can offer another. Bar none.

Thank you, just pet.

 

[Lost Cause]

EVERY incident changed me a little.....

There were times I hurt, was determined, confused, scared, unafraid, brave, funny and I adapted to handle the situations if they came again~

Life going on, no special applause, nothing worth saying except I'm still fucking here!



http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a225/unite1776/tombstoneRP.jpg

 

[coastal-boy]

I got the call around 2 AM...She's dying...this is it. I had been there the night before and she really didn't even respond. God I was so tired. I put the phone down and just laid there intending on going back to sleep. My wife asked if I was going to go...and I said no. Why should I go? Just to support my fucked up family? Yes, my grandmother raised me. Yes, she knew I loved her. Yes, we had said all we had to say. Five minutes later, I tossed off the covers and told my wife I was going. We got dressed and drove the 3 hours to the hospital. I remember it was snowing. I couldn't get warm. I walked into the room and could see the pain she was in, but she smiled. I went and held her hand...told her I loved her...that I was here...that it was OK...to let go. And she closed her eyes and it was over. I hadn't even taken my coat off.

Most of my life, I had been a selfish prick. But that night, I learned that it isn't always about me. She had been waiting for me.

 

[MechaBlade]

And I am especially happy you survived
You're great fantasy material

(Let's face it. It's all about me with me)

Hey, me too. Just happy I could stick around long enough to make you wet.

 

[Peregrinator]

The day I had my wisdom teeth removed, I got a call from a college friend I hadn't spoken to in eighteen years or so. He had found my parents' number somehow, and tracked me down. We spent some time getting caught up, him filling me in on the mutual friends I had been to immature at the time to keep in touch with. There was one he didn't know anything about...and she was the one that I most wanted to know about. I used to talk to her instead of myself, when I was lonely. That conversation led me to google her name...and find her...and email a couple months later...and marry her a couple years later...that would be Lady Perg.

If he hadn't called, I would never have though to google her, would have thought her lost to me forever.

 

[~ Kit ~]

This is an amazing thread.

 

[just pet]

I love all the contributions, the stories
Thank you, all


Re-reading this thread always makes me cry and reflect on what I do for a living
When days are particularly difficult, this reminds me of why I am here


Another nurse and I were with a new patient until 8pm last night (3 hours) discussing advance directives and his plan of care
Life review reveals his WWII exploits, including a trip to Hitler's Eagle's Nest
He has a Master's degree from Northwestern in engineering and resents that universities name the schools after people who contribute millions of dollars
He owned a Harley in the early 40s
He is 85, has multi system failure and a quack doc
He is in congestive heart failure, 4+ pitting edema from toes to knees, lung crackles, extreme shortness of breath despite O2 therapy
And a history of prostate problems
We beg the doc for more diuretics and the doc says all he needs is to have a urinary catheter
He's a moron
The patient is refusing the catheter
He also has a pacemaker/defibrillator
This means if he dies, his heart stops beating, he will receive electric shocks from the equipment in his heart... for hours... until it is deactivated
He is a full code
He is actively dying

It was just after 6am this morning
A call from triage that the patient is extremely agitated, family is exhausted
I speak with the daughter... mostly listening... to her frustration, her grief, her fears
His CHF is full upon him
But his cough and agitation are finally quelled with ativan, morphine and atropine
And it's now 7am

Time to start the rest of my day

edit at 7:30am...
On the phone with the daughter
He's up... again

 

[just pet]

A sick call, and I had been asked to be on after hours on call until midnight
10:22pm (2222), the call comes in that a patient had died and I needed to attend the death
It was a patient I had admitted to hospice a month prior, and felt connected to the son
There had been a cat that she adored and there had been a scramble to arrange for her adoption after his 'mommy' died...
The patient was 96 and her son 72

But it had been a full day
It was late
And I was dead tired
Threw on a pair of jeans, a sweater and dashed out the door
It's late
I'm tired
And I am 20 miles away
My route took me east on the 10 FWY to the 110, straight through downtown LA
Let me mention here, that the lights of downtown are spectacular
No traffic, all smart people being home
My spirits are a bit lighter, but I'd rather be home in bed...
I arrive
Her son greets me at the door, hugs me, thrilled to see a familiar face
He recounts stories of his mother, the 2 marriages she outlived

'The cat" I asked
"What shall we do with the cat?"
The cat had died
Had been at the vet the last month, wasting away from unknown causes
Just like his mom

The caregivers and I went into the patient's room to do post mortem care
The electric bed was suddenly not working
She died and was taking it with her
The son warned us to escape while we could... Laughter remains the best medicine, by far

She died peacefully, at home, during a prayer with the caregiver
No discomfort, ready
Her son at peace, well prepared, thankful
As am I


It is after 2:30am
I have rambled
But I looked for this thread when I returned home tonight
It keeps me fresh
The stories
The human-ness
This thread reminds me... why

 

[Queersetti]

It is after 2:30am
I have rambled
But I looked for this thread when I returned home tonight
It keeps me fresh
The stories
The human-ness
This thread reminds me... why

It also reminds of what a special person you are.

 

[_Milky_Whites_]

JP,

You're a wonderful, wonderful person. You're the angel who helps them say goodbye, who eases their departure.

Never could I do hospice care. I have only had a small handful of actively dying patients and the experience was not for me. It takes a very special person to hold that position.

Thank you for sharing so much.

 

[Mrs.H]

The call came in at 9pm. A 34 year old patient with pain out of control. She is on a CADD pump, with Dilaudid, but her pain is escalating. As the on call RN, I had to go and titrate her meds up.

The hour drive made me cranky, muttering under my breath, "why didn't the nurse that was out earlier fix this..."

The road was dark, the 2 flights of stairs up to the house even darker. The entry was well lit, and the 10 pairs of shoes lined up neatly on the front porch began a story. I was suddenly glad I had just painted my toenails.

I was welcomed in and ushered quickly and quietly into a small room, dominated by a hospital bed, a small jaundiced-bronzed woman in obvious, severe distress and 6 Afghani women.

For the next 4-1/2 hours, I sat vigil with these women, as I increased the Dilaudid from 4mg/hour to 64mg/hr, giving Ativan to calm, began oxygen, held hands.

The patient is 34, her sister died from the very same cancer recently. Her mother and I spoke only the language of the love for our children. She is suffering, just as her dying daughter is. The older woman pulled a chair next to her for me to sit, holding my hand, kissing first one cheek, then the other. We watched and prayed together as her baby's breathing became less labored and her moans became softer and less frequent.

And the young women talked of politics and how they had no interest until just recently, as they are hated, despised for their religious beliefs. As we sat together, sharing a glass of hot tea and sweet dates, we talked of all those fighting, being killed, some Mother's child.

The suffering I saw tonight was not any less nor any more deserved for this young Moslem woman and her family. They welcomed me, never asked about my religion. The dying woman's mother said she loved me, loved me for easing the suffering of her child.

I am different tonight

And now have no tolerance for blind and ignorant hatred


What experiences have changed you in a heartbeat?

That is such a beautiful and moving story.

An email on January 31st of this year, from my mother saying "I have cancer" changed my life.

If she was suffering? I would want someone like you there Just Pet.

We are blessed, she is living cancer free today.

I live every day, so grateful.

 

[Yes_YEs_YES]

JP

I just the other day found out a very good friend of mine has pancretic cancer which has spread thruout her stomach and intestins. She's 34 years old with a wonderful husband and a beautiful 10 year old daughter..***** can be so unfair.

I hope in her final moments she has the good fortune to have someone like you there with her...thank you for all you do.......


Mrs. H ... I'm glad to hear your Mom is cancer free

 

[just pet]

It also reminds of what a special person you are.

Mutual admiration
I've missed you

 

[just pet]

JP,

You're a wonderful, wonderful person. You're the angel who helps them say goodbye, who eases their departure.

Never could I do hospice care. I have only had a small handful of actively dying patients and the experience was not for me. It takes a very special person to hold that position.

Thank you for sharing so much.

You are the angel helping people to live
Special, you are
It is a gift, each having a strength to help others in the struggle of life
It takes a very special person to remain caring and compassionate even in the maelstrom of others' suffering and lashing out

 

[just pet]

That is such a beautiful and moving story.

An email on January 31st of this year, from my mother saying "I have cancer" changed my life.

If she was suffering? I would want someone like you there Just Pet.

We are blessed, she is living cancer free today.

I live every day, so grateful.

That is the best news
Another gift, to appreciate each day
And to have the opportunity to show our love to those we cherish

 

[just pet]

JP

I just the other day found out a very good friend of mine has pancretic cancer which has spread thruout her stomach and intestins. She's 34 years old with a wonderful husband and a beautiful 10 year old daughter..***** can be so unfair.

I hope in her final moments she has the good fortune to have someone like you there with her...thank you for all you do.......


Mrs. H ... I'm glad to hear your Mom is cancer free

I am so sorry to hear of your friend's illness
Methadone is drug of choice to manage the pain
It will subdue the pain and keep her sensorium clear
And you are right
Life can seem tragically unfair

 

[HB1965]

I haven't read through this thread completely but what I have seen is beautiful. To tell you what has changed my life and altered the course would be taking you on a journey in which you would have to suspend belief. I just know that I am different person than I was a year ago at this time, and I believe that I will continue to evolve as time goes by.

 

[just pet]

I haven't read through this thread completely but what I have seen is beautiful. To tell you what has changed my life and altered the course would be taking you on a journey in which you would have to suspend belief. I just know that I am different person than I was a year ago at this time, and I believe that I will continue to evolve as time goes by.

A teaser, to be sure
I am a collector of stories
I have some hair raisers myself
Would love to hear yours

 

[Saint Peter]

SaintPeter's last request is to play with justpets titties before turning out the light.

Amen.