KINDNESS Channel

“Any person coming into this Nursing Office should feel the touch of human kindness in many ways.”

www.thenursingoffice.org

1 Corinthians 13:4-5: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ... 1 John 4:16: And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.

We Speak the Nursing Language

OPEN: 24/7 Every Nurse has a Story to Tell

Many years ago I worked as a trauma nurse at a local hospital and had a 3 year old patient named Marie who was suffering from a rare life threatening disease. Her only hope was a blood transfusion from her 5 year old brother, Eric. When the doctor asked him if he was willing to give his blood to his sister, Eric paused for a few seconds, and then said in a soft voice, "I'll do it if it will save her." Later that day I helped to oversee the transfusion and sat in the treatment room with their mother during the process. "Marie already looks better! You're doing great, Eric" I said. He gave me a big smile before tears suddenly filled his eyes. Just then, the doctor returned to see how they were doing, and Eric asked, "How much longer until I die? It took us all by surprise, and then my own eyes turned with tears. I realized that sweet little boy thought he had to give all his blood to his sister-- and was willing to do it, without question."~Gwen Hernandez, Latina Nurse

BURNED BISCUITS By Maria Carlota Recacho, RN When I was a kid, my mom loved to make breakfast for dinner every now and then.  I remember one night when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. She put a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.  I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day at school was. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and enjoy every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."Later that night, as I kissed Daddy good night, I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults - and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship."Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

Are you okay?

 By Myrna D.Santos, RN

As I was parking my car, from a distance, I noticed somebody curled up and lying by the alley, in the midst of a chilling winter night. I parked my car and then walked towards the apparently human figure. With few steps back, I called to him and asked,” Are you okay? ” Surprisingly, I heard a man, speaking clearly and asked me in return” Who are you, where did you come from?’ He does not sound sick nor in distress, so I told him “Get up and go home!” I don’t know if I sounded authoritative but he got up and started to walk away, I assume to his home. I did not leave just to see if he will fall down or anything at all. Then I saw him turn back towards me and waved his hands as if to say goodbye or perhaps, to say thank you.

As I walk towards home, I felt some kind of relief, knowing that I made a difference as simple as that. Could it be that this man was merely seeking attention? Whatever was in his mind, as I felt that all of us, in one way or another needs to be asked sometime.

Are you okay?~