My Personal "Ah ha!" Moment
On this lovely spring day, everyone was out and about. Afternoon sun gleamed down from above, casting a lovely hue of baby blue over everything. When my husband and I decided to rebuild our kitchen, I ended myself in Russellville to finalize color choices. I couldn't have asked for a greater combination of weather and color. So, I decided to stop by my grandmother's five-mile distance from the cabinet shop.
It's always a treat to visit my grandmother's place. Like her, her home is warm and friendly. She always has freshly baked treats on the counter in her kitchen and always welcomes you with a grin and open arms whenever you come to visit. However, she did not greet me at the door on this occasion. There was no "I am so glad that you stopped by" or "a warm welcome." There were several attempts before she came out of her room to answer the door. Before she even opened the door, I knew something was wrong. When she arrived, she didn't have the warm welcoming gorgeous smile on her face; instead, she appeared exhausted.
What's up, Mom? Please tell me whether everything is alright. You don't appear to be in good health," I said.
I had no idea what was going to happen next. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she had a defeated expression on her face. In the past 24 hours, "I've been awake all night," I said. I can't stop going to the bathroom because my stomach hurts. The exhaustion I'm feeling is so overwhelming that I'm not sure what to do."
Mamw isn't feeling well. Please call me back as soon as possible," I texted my mother. It's time for her to see a doctor," I believe." The two of us decided to get her checked out as soon as possible, and my mother agreed. We made our way to the hospital after I got some of her belongings.
It was when we were driving to the hospital that the first accident occurred. "I think I just pooped my pants; it feels like it's flowing everywhere," she said after hearing a noise. I am deeply sorry. I really hope that doesn't make it to your seat."
"Are you okay?" I asked, trying to remain cool and figure out where I was going to stop. We'll go to the next store and get you dressed while I'm there. If you are concerned about the seat, it can be washed," Between Russellville and Springfield, there are only a few places to eat and rest your legs. Fortunately, we hadn't yet passed the Dollar Store, so we were able to stop and clean her up before we continued on our way. To my amazement, I managed to remove her soiled garments, wipe her backside and legs, and then clean up the mess we had caused in the bathroom all without feeling nauseated! As soon as we returned to the car, we drove to the hospital.
When we arrived to the emergency room, my mother greeted us. She tried to hide her worn, anxious expression behind one of her trademark brave-face smiles. It was with the calmest voice she opened the door for them and said, "Come on, let's get you in." While I was putting the car in park, she assisted my grandmother inside. Once we arrived, I recognized that we'd be waiting for a long time. We attempted to entertain ourselves with jokes, but time seemed to be going at a snail's pace.
We all breathed a sigh of relief when we eventually heard the name "Louise Reynolds" being called out. My mother picked up a wheelchair and said, "Have a seat, my child." Even though she tried, Mamaw couldn't muster much of a smile at the end of the day.
A few more hours passed after we were shown to the nurse's room by the nice lady who worked there. I went to the nurses' station when no one came in. Frustrated, I added, "We've been here for hours and no one has come in the room to check on her.".
Please accept my apologies; we've just swapped shifts. The nurse at the front desk explained, "I'll give your new nurse her chart.".
After about five minutes, our nurse and nurse practitioner entered the room. The doctor's assistant had a soothing and compassionate demeanor. Assuring my grandmother, "Mrs. Reynolds, we will take good care of you," she said. Some tests and x-rays were done. She had an infection in her colon and rectum, as well as a prolapsed rectum, according to the results of the test. The NP then informed everyone that Mamaw will be in the hospital for a few days. Panic erupted at the mere mention of the word. Just thinking about her deteriorating health made me feel helpless. At one point, when they were describing the following stages to my grandmother, I looked at my mother and remarked, "I don't believe this is the best idea. What if her condition deteriorates because she is here? The worst-case scenario is that she never recovers. Tears streamed down my face as soon as I spoke the words.
We are certain that the nurse practitioner treating her has the necessary training and experience to handle her care. My mum assured me that Mamaw would be alright. It was time to put on a brave face for my Mamaw and hug my mum.
"Is there anything more you require while we wait?" "No, honey, I'm OK," she said with a bright, gorgeous smile. "Thank you," you may reply.
We waited for the doctors and nurses to arrive at my grandmother's new room. When my grandma indicated she wanted to go to the bathroom, our new nurse had just arrived in the room. She made it to the bathroom without incident. There was another story to tell on the way back. When the nurse positioned the IV bag stand in the wrong place, she tripped over it and ripped it out of my grandma's arm. In the past, seeing blood has made me feel sick to my stomach, but this time it didn't. The need to help came over me in a split second this time. But I couldn't figure out how to improve it. After this, I felt helpless. At around 12:30 a.m., they were finally able to replace Mamaw's IV. All of us were fatigued.
With an almost hoarse voice, Mamaw urged her family to return to their homes and get some rest.
"I'm going to bed now." Sitting here and watching me does you no good."
We decided to call it a night and head back to our own homes. It was the worst night's sleep I've ever had. I wished I could go back in time and hear her tell a funny joke or discuss her plans to meet a young handsome guy. I went to the hospital with my mother instead to discover that Mamaw had taken an unexpected turn for the worse. We'd been in the room with her for less than a half hour when she fell ill. She pointed to her mouth, as if she were about to throw up. As she vomited what appeared to be stomach acid, I grabbed the "puke" pail and held it. It was a sickening shade of green. I cleansed the bucket and her mouth after she was done.
she said, "I'm so sorry, honey."
There is no need to feel sorry for yourself. Anything you need, I'm here to help you with. "
We did the same thing every day for the next few weeks. I would hold the bucket as she threw up. I would clean her up when she had a bowel movement (whether she intended it or not) and assist with changing her bedding. Whenever she requested food or drink, I went and got it for her. I made sure she was comfortable by adjusting her pillows. During one of the vomit spells, our nurse entered the room and quickly walked out. When she came back, I had already finished cleaning up the mess she had left.
"I truly apologize for whatever that has occurred. The one thing my stomach can't take is me throwing up," the nurse added.
My confidence in my abilities as a nurse grew as a result of that one moment. In this way, As if something clicked in my head when I realized how much I had accomplished in the last few weeks. A career in nursing had long been on my wish list, but I doubted that I would be able to handle all that I would face in the field. However, I had already been exposed to all of the things that I thought I couldn't "digest," and I made it through it all like a champ.
My granny was sent to a rehabilitation hospital a few days later, where she received treatment.
re-establish herself. I paid her a visit on Easter Sunday. The wonderful warm smile of "Hello, there" greeted me as I entered her room. She wished everyone a happy Easter.
You, too, have a blessed Easter! I'd like to share something with you. A nurse is what I want to be when I grow up.
"I know you can do it, honey; you'll be a wonderful nurse," she remarked in a positive tone.
The lessons I learned during those harrowing weeks are what finally led me to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. Rain is necessary for the formation of a rainbow. It was a good outcome, despite all of the awful things that had happened. My granny has returned home, and I'm on my way to earning a bachelor's degree in nursing.
