A Day at the Hospital [Archive]

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NoahsMommy

10-06-2005, 07:17 PM

First some background info:

I'm working at a local hospital in their admitting department. Each patient comes to me and I get them registered for sugeries, procedures, tests, etc. I meet people about to have babies and people struggling with cancer. Each day is new and exciting and I have MANY opportunities to touch someone's life in their moment of need. I've only been there since last Wednesday.

Today was an interesting day...

At around 7:30 a.m. we hear overhead, "Code White in the ER, Code White in the ER" (code white= infant emergency situation) about ten minutes later, we heard, "Respiratory to the ER, STAT, Respiratory to the ER, STAT!!" It worried both of us that were at work at the time.

Some time passed and I met lots of new people...mostly nice. I had someone ask to speak to my manager about me...she told her such nice things, I was embaressed. I met a man that seemed very upset that his wife was having their 4th baby. Usually the fathers are excited...I didn't know what to do with him.

Later on, I met another couple that were due Sunday, but their baby boy wanted his birthday sooner, and she was admitted.

I then met a woman I've about adopted as a second grandmother. She was there because of repeated bloodclots in her legs. She'd had them in her pelvis, in her lung and in her arms. When she needed to sign the paperwork, she hurt so bad, she was near tears. When I found out she didn't have family, I about died. I gave her my cell number and told her to call me if she ever needed me. I gave her a bunch of gentle hugs and took her to her test. I later got a call that she was admitted...so I'll be visiting her tomorrow after work or at my lunch hour. She was such a dear and alone and in such pain. My heart about broke.

We later found out, that code white was an 8-year-old, who went to heaven this morning. :( I don't know anything other than the fact that after it happened, our ER was flooded with police officers, horrified, crying family members and two chaplans. My heart went out to that family, I cannot ever imagine losing a child, especially one so young. :(

At about 2:00, I registered a 3-month-old red headed, blue eyed baby boy for a chest xray to check for RSV. He was an absolute dear!! He alone has changed my preference for children. He giggled with me, smiled for me...PRECOUS!! His poor mom was so scared for him. I left her and prayed that little Nicholas will be just fine.

Its truly and interesting environment, a hospital. You can check in a happy couple, awaiting their baby...and then hear your last patient died.

I love it there...I hope that each patient I enteract with, even if grumpy, will be a bit better off because of me. I'm so glad I took this job...its perfect for me.

Just thought you'd be interested.

just me

10-06-2005, 07:28 PM

What a great post.
Congrats on your new job.
Sounds like you will be great at it. ;)

AmberLee

10-06-2005, 07:31 PM

You've brought happy tears to my eyes. {{{hugs}}}

Jadapit

10-06-2005, 07:45 PM

It sounds like you are as perfect for the job as it is for you! Thank you for being there for those people and showing them compassion. The world is a much better place with compassion in it. The story of the 8 year old going to heaven brought me to tears. God Bless her family. I can not imagine what they are going through right now. :(

Logan

10-06-2005, 08:18 PM

Kelly, I'm not sure you know what a blessing you are to these people; to all of us who "know" you. :) Please don't let this take an emotional toll on you though. I'm so happy that you are feeling the benefits of this opportunity and you wouldn't be "our" Kelly if you didn't react to all you see. I just want you to be ok. Perhaps we can all include those you mention in our prayers, too.

Much love and good luck tomorrow!!! :D

Logan

new mom to a veiled

10-06-2005, 08:31 PM

Oh what a special person you are!!!! Your job sounds like an emotional roller coaster!!!! It seems you really put your heat and soul into it every day. Bless you for your care and compasion. As mentioned by Logan lets all keep those others in our prayers.

Karen

10-06-2005, 09:18 PM

Glad you're on the correct side of the desk now! I miss my friend's red-headed babies, they're all getting pretty big by now, but your describing that little one reminded me of them (they moved to PA, so I don't get to see them anymore.)

NoahsMommy

10-06-2005, 09:22 PM

You are all very sweet. ((hugs))

I just started this thread because even though I've been a patient far too many times, I didn't see this side of the hospital...so I figured most people don't and wanted to share it.

Luckily, my faith enables me not only to remain happy and positive despite what happens, but also keeps me understanding there is a plan for each and every person.

I too feel so badly for the family that lost their 8 year old. I'm planning on asking one of the ER admitters tomorrow what happened.

Great idea to keep them in your prayers, guys. Thank you. The older woman whom I've adopted is named Mary. She needs prayers for sure.

Hugs,
Kelly :)

luvofallhorses

10-06-2005, 09:51 PM

Kelly,

What an absolute angel you are. :) That is so sad about the 8-year old going to heaven this morning. :( Many hugs to you!!

Love,

Krista & the fuzz butts :)

Also, I will hold them close in my thoughts and prayers.

Christiansmommy

10-06-2005, 09:59 PM

That job sure does sound like you will be perfect for it...I think the job will be as good for you (since you enjoy it so much) (in the midst of some hard times you have been faced with), and you will be just as good for the job, in that your ability with people in a crisis situation seems to be so heartfelt. It seems like it will be very rewarding...you will be giving so much of yourself, and in the same reguard getting so much back (like how you did with Mary)...you were probably both angels unaware for each other today. Glad things are working out for you!!

Robyn

carole

10-06-2005, 10:00 PM

Kelly you are an absolute asset to the hospital in more ways than I can say, if only everyone was as compassionate as you are, I think having been through the ordeals you have in life, really makes a difference, If only everyone could remember to have a kind word for people, who are often terrified, or really stressed out, I can remember another lady like you, the receptionist at the specialist my mother went to when she had her Breast Cancer, she was so nice to my mother, and it made all the difference.

The hospital is only beginning to know what an angel they have employed. :)

caseysmom

10-06-2005, 10:21 PM

It just seems like all you have suffered through has been for a purpose, see how much empathy you now have for all the patients. You brought tears to my eyes.

Daisy and Delilah

10-06-2005, 10:47 PM

Oh my goodness Kelly!! What a fabulous thread to share with everyone. I know that God placed you in that job and he knew exactly what he was doing. Nobody could be more perfect for that job than you are. I'm thrilled that you're enjoying it so much. I know we're all so happy to hear this news. That hospital is so fortunate to have you working for them and I know that they all know it for sure. I'm praying that it keeps going great for you and you're able to stay on the "good" side of the desk ;)

NoahsMommy

10-06-2005, 11:18 PM

:o :o :o You are all way too sweet! :o :o :o Thank you for your kind words.

I think I love this job so much because I want to become a doctor...so not only do I love the patients, but I love seeing why people are there, what symptoms they have and what we do to fix that. I'm learning so many medical terms and medical departments I've never heard of. :)

shais_mom

10-06-2005, 11:54 PM

I am so glad this is working out for you Kelly. I believe this is a miracle at work!

K9karen

10-07-2005, 12:26 AM

I was wondering how your job was, and now I know! I'm so ecstatic for you! There's nothing better than waking up to a job you love

krazyaboutkatz

10-07-2005, 01:18 AM

Kelly, I'm so glad to hear that you love your new job and I think it's perfect for you. :D

CalliesMom

10-07-2005, 02:44 AM

Kelly, you are such a wonderful person. I'm so glad that you are enjoying your job and I hope you always remain this positive. I know when I'm that sick, I want someone there to act like they care..and I can see you do. :)

Ally Cat's Mommy

10-07-2005, 03:16 AM

Sounds like this job was MADE for you!!! I am sure you are making a huge difference in these patient's lives. (((HUGS)))

Killearn Kitties

10-07-2005, 04:27 AM

I'm so glad you are enjoying your new job. I'm sure it is really interesting, and you can't underestimate the value of a friendly face to the patients. :)

dukedogsmom

10-07-2005, 06:06 AM

Your job sounds neat! You must really be a people person to have gotten compliments already. Don't be embarrassed, just be proud. That's nice that you have "adopted" that lady. I'm sure she really appreciates it.

petslover

10-07-2005, 09:30 AM

Wow! Kelly, you truely are a blessing the entire world.. You are one of the nice , kindest people and this really proves it. The 8 year old boy brought a tear to my eye as well. Kelly, this job was sent down from God to you because you are perfect at it. This job will have many benefits you will gain many lifelong friends for this. Glad your job is going so great.

Your stories are amazing.

Laura's Babies

10-07-2005, 09:49 AM

I have always felt that if when we are gone, that if we have changed ONE persons life, made ONE person feel better, then our life was not wasted. All we want it is to touch someone else and make a differance in their life. You were put here to be of service to God, to help where help was needed. Look at the path that it took to get you there... You are a God send to Mary and it will mean so much to her to have someone who cares.

I adopted a elderly lady one time that was dying of cancer and had no one to come see her. We talked about her fears of dying and what would become of her daughter once she was gone. He daughter could not handle or face that her Mother was dying so she just wouldn't go see her or communicate with her. I talked to Miss Doris and explained to her why her daughter wouldn't come so that she would not die thinking her daughter hated her. I told her my beliefs about dying and going on to the other side and while she would not be HERE, she would not cease to exsist. I read to her from the bible daily and we prayed together a lot. I know I brought her a lot of comfort and helped her to pass on without fear.

Just hearing the compliments you are getting there already, shows that you are touching many peoples lives. Anything that makes a hard time in life just a little easier is a blessing to any of us.

gini

10-07-2005, 09:56 AM

I feel just like jumping up and getting everyone else to do the same, and applauding our Kelly! Have you ever seen such a spirit? You won't be able to keep this girl down!

I don't know of anyone who has been through as much as Kelly has..........it just seems as though God has been testing her and testing her. Well, she keeps passing through these tests with flying colors!

What a blessing you are to all of the people that you will encounter. When you are being admitted to a hospital you are so vulnerable and I can truly appreciate how comforting and compassionate you would be to those people.

God love you, Kelly - you go girl!

NoahsMommy

10-07-2005, 07:50 PM

:o Thanks guys, you're so sweet!!

Today was just as "good"...well for me. I so love being with these people. At lunch I got Mary a little bear from the Gift Shop that says "Get Well Soon" on its tummy and a flowery card. When I stopped by, she was happy to see me, but still in pain. :( The morphine caused a reaction, so she was waiting for oral pain meds. I made sure she was going to eat before...don't want her getting sick!

I visited for a short while after work as well and she's such a dear. She was excited to see me and told me that when she gets out, she wants to go to lunch! I'm so looking forward to that. I just love her already! She told me I could bring my grandma too! Isn't she a doll? Unfortunately for her, she'll be in the hospital for a few days. I want to bring her some flowers next week for her to enjoy. Gosh, I just am attached to her.

Today I had two men that I about fell in love with!! Elderly...and soooo cute!! The first one was born in Poland and is a Holocost Surviver. When his cell phone rang, it played a little song and he began to dance in his seat!! He showed me his tattoo (that numbering thing they did :( ) and told me that he was a survivor. I've never met someone like that before, only seen it in books or on TV. He truly had an amazing spirit and I feel honored to have shared a few moments with him.

The other man was there to recieve an IVIG treatment. I picked him up in the lobby, registered him and wheeled him to our other campus accross the way for his 2-day stay. I just loved talking to him. He was a character, but going through a lot right now. I commented that I was getting my exercise while I pushed him up a small hill and he said sadly, "I wish I could still exercise. My wife and I used to walk 4 miles a day together and I miss it so much." I wanted to hug him!! :( Please keep him in your prayers, guys. He was such a sweetie...called me "honey" during our time together. I hope the treatment aleviates some pain and enables him to get some strength back...

Earlier in the day, I admitted a patient that was doing a small bowel follow through because he'd been having abdominal pain for the past 6 months. He's currently with a GI that I don't like, so I gave him the name and number of mine in case he needed to look for another doctor. We spoke about the frustrations of GI issues and I really think it helped him to talk to someone else that has issues like he does. I'm praying they find whats bothering him soon and he can get all fixed.

I admitted a young girl (16) for another small bowel follow through that was there because she has repeated pancreatic attacks. She and her mom were sooo cute and sooo close. It was so nice seeing them get along so well and to see how much interest her mother took in her. When I told them they were an hour early for their appointment, I said they could sit in the Radiology waiting room because they may get in quicker, mom said they had cards and they would have fun with each other! So sweet! I learned they both had celiac disease (allergic to gluten/wheat)...I didn't know that ran in families.

On a sad note, we had a 5 week old in for blood tests because her father has hemophelia, HIV and some other disease. When the father told me what they were looking for, he said, "And that's just my health issues, her mom has a ton too!". Its sad, you'd think they wouldn't procreate and pass that along to a innocent child. :( But, God can work miracles and I hope and pray little Rachael will survive uneffected somehow.

OK...that's all I have to report for today. I truly love this job...and agree this was in my plans from God. I fit in perfectly with what we're trying to do. I am blessed because I get to meet all these wonderful people, and like you said, Laura, hopefully make them feel a tiny bit better during a hard time.

NoahsMommy

10-07-2005, 07:55 PM

I adopted a elderly lady one time that was dying of cancer and had no one to come see her.
What a wonderful thing you did for that woman, Laura!!!

I agree wholeheartedly with what you said!! You're wonderful!!!

(((Hugs)))

carole

10-07-2005, 10:00 PM

Kelly I used to work in a hospital when I left school, i was only 16 years old, but gee I learned alot about life, I feel I would be much better at the job I did then ,now as I am older, wiser and have much more compassion, but still it was an experience I will never forget, I also had my favourite old lady, and was devastated the day they told me she was dying, I had no idea, and it broke my heart, I sure cryed over her, she left the hospital before she died, but still I knew I would never see her again.

I think you are either suited for the hospital life or not, some people find all the bad stuff just too hard to handle, and very emotionally draining, it takes a certain kind of person to deal with it all and Kelly you are the girl, I bet you have made such a difference already to heaps of people's live's,YOU GO GIRL!! :) :)

ChrisH

10-08-2005, 06:21 AM

catnapper

10-08-2005, 07:03 AM

Thank you Kelly for talking about that,. What a truly amazing scene you painted.

It makes me so happy to hear how happy you are right now! I hope it continues to get better and better for you!

carole

10-08-2005, 10:39 PM

There is really just something special about our kelly, I just wanna wrap my arms around her and protect her and hug her to bits, and make all well with her, you are one very special lovely person Kelly, and I hope life brings you so much good things from now on, if anyone deserves it, it is you my dear. LOVE YA KELLY. :)

luvofallhorses

10-08-2005, 10:48 PM

Corinna

10-08-2005, 11:02 PM

NoahsMommy

10-09-2005, 12:11 AM

NoahsMommy

10-09-2005, 12:13 AM

Kelly I think you are so perfect for this job so reasuring for the people you touch. I think you need to do a Kelly's prayers for the day (hey Karen how about just a place for it. ) Then we could all pray for your people each day. I hope this is all helping you with your own health issuses.
Oh Corinna, what a lovely idea!!! I'd so love to share my patients with you all. :) I know PT prayers work miracles and lots of these people sure need them.

Hugs, Kelly :)

xoxoxox

RICHARD

10-09-2005, 03:24 AM

Kelly,
One of my "most memorable" encounters was with a woman who was scheduled to have an graft put in her arm so she could have chemo.

I called this woman up and I told her that I wanted to get her in to have her procedure done.

She matter of factly told me that she had spoke to her doc and decided that she didn't want the surgery and she was ready to die.

I remember how calm she was, we had a wonderful conversation(she was baking cookies in her kitchen, I'll always remember that about talking to her.)
and after I hung up the phone I sat there for a few miniutes wondering it I could ever be that brave knowing I was going to pass on.

There are a few rules to working on a hospital...

Protect your heart.
Don't take it personally.
Remember the 999 people before the one jerk that makes you cry.
Man proposes, God disposes.

And the last, most very important thing.

Pack a lunch....Hospital food SUCKS. ;)