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.
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