So anyway, I survived my first day as a charge nurse. I had 23 patients which means I had 23 patient's charts to read and review in 8 hours. As a night shift charge nurse, it is your task to review all the doctors' orders in the past 24 hours just to check if anything was missed. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish everything. Bear with me, I am still adjusting. On my second day as a charge nurse, I think I got the right technique. Thanks to one of my seniors Ma'am Aloha who taught me the faster way. :)
Last Wednesday, we admitted a young looking lady who seems like giving up anytime. I took her initial blood pressure and I got 70/40. I got curious about her case so I waited for the medical intern to finish taking the patient's medical history. To my surprise, the patient is only 16 years old and has ovarian cancer. Another thing that surprised me is that she already lost her ovaries at a very, very young age. Through my whole shift, I always obtain low blood pressure. The medical resident on duty already talked to the mom (I assume)and asked her if they want to be "aggressive". I heard things like, "So i-tutubo siya? Hindi ba mahihirapan yun bata nun?", "Anong mangyayari kung di kame pumayag?", etc.
For five days, the patient fought for her life until this morning, I learned that she already succumbed to cancer. My heart sank upon hearing the bad news. She's too young to die. I know that if she was given a chance to live longer, she would probably grow up to a very, very nice and sweet lady.
To be honest, she's my favorite patient among those who were admitted in that wing (N5 ward is divided into two wings). She never complained anything except for the back pain when I raised her legs during her hypotension episodes. Other than that, she was quiet and very cooperative. Sadly, this young girl isn't aware of her illness despite the procedures and medical treatment she has gone through.
I've had a number of "deaths" during my first year in the hospital but this death made a big impact to my life. First, I don't like seeing young people suffer from illness. We can go back to our memories during our childhood but we can never turn back the time and be a kid again. Having diagnosed of cancer deprives these kids to enjoy the normal childhood life. It breaks my heart to see a kid watching other kids playing outside through the window. And second, being diagnosed with endometriosis, I feel like I am not as lucky as any other woman who doesn't have any problems in getting pregnant. When I was diagnosed and have undergone two major operations in two consecutive years, I was warned about my future that I might not get pregnant. Through this innocent stranger, I realized that I am still blessed. At least, I still have my ovaries and that I can still get pregnant through fertility work ups. I thank God for that.
The best thing about being a nurse is that everyday you meet new people whom you never thought would touch your life and give you a life changing experience instead of you touching their hearts.
Thank you, little angel. May you rest in peace.
I've had to do relief charge for night shift at our surgical and ortho units... and its insane, but always bearable if you a good team of nurses that shift : )
ReplyDeleteDeaths are always hard emotionally on us nurses, especially the young ones.