a prayer for a stranger....

[steph]

I don't know what I want for this girl, but she's been on my mind. She's a patient, admitted for cranial hemorrage in the ICU. I know she has parents because they've visited. I know she has two kids at home and is 5 weeks pregnant. I know she tested positive for meth (I was reading her chart.) I know Golden State (our donor services team) waited all day for the family yesterday who never showed up. I know someone loves her because there's a pink kitty in her bed next to her.

The family has 24 hours to decide whether they want her kept on life support or to pull it. Because there was no one in the room, I went in and sat next to her, reading her chart and watching her, wondering about her, who she was, how she got here...Not how she got here, of course but how she GOT HERE. (There's always a story behind it~things like this, never "just happen.") I found nothing to help ease my mind, solve her mystery. As I sat watching, her toes would wiggle occasionally, something I found odd for someone on life support.

I said a little prayer for her but wasn't really sure (maybe for the first time in my life) what I was asking for...That her family find peace, I guess. That her children would be well cared for, and miraculously turn out to be okay. That her unborn baby wasn't suffering too much, that whoever her donor recipient(s) turned out to be were saved by her and her family's decision.

I just felt really sad for this girl. It's one of those scenes where no one really wins. It's the holidays and a family will lose their daughter, her children will lose their mother, the baby will lose his or her life. (Sighs) All of it was avoidable, worst of all I think.

So if you find yourself with a spare moment today, and you feel up to it, take a few to think good thoughts for her?
Thanks for listening friends, please take care of each other...

XOXO

 

[Mimi]

Absolutely Steph. I'd be more than happy to offer a few prayers for both this girl and her friends and family who will all be touched by this, no matter what the end result may be. I'll also keep her and her loved ones in my heart and my thoughts until you're able to fill us in on what transpires.

Thank you for posting this. Yes, it made me cry, and I've lost a bit of the holiday cheer I had until a moment before I clicked on this thread, but I honestly feel we need to be reminded now and then that not everyone is as lucky as we are this holiday season. There are people without food or shelter, people without friends or family to share the joys of christmas with, and people losing loved ones as we speak. We all need to step back now and then and truly appreciate our friends, families, and comforts afforded to us daily. And we also need to step back now and then and offer our prayers and thoughts to those not as fortunate. May peace, love, comfort and happiness touch as many lives as possible this holiday season. And may that young lady and her family find peace of their own during this emotional nightmare.

Mimi

 

[steph]

Thank you sweet Mimi. I apologize for making you sad. I'm lucky to have an understanding boss who never fusses when I have take time for a few "bathroom sniffles" as we've come to call them, because I do it a lot in this job. It's probably the reason she took the position as Supe, she's even more sensitive and emotional than I am (she's a young grandmother) so she lets us deal with the rough stuff while she runs the place...🙂

It is one of the bittersweet aspects of the position, you get to do a lot of good but you see a lot of tragedy which I find REALLY puts life in perspective for me. Little things that used to drive me nuts like someoene taking a parking space don't bug me anymore.

Thank you again my darling for caring enough, I don't expect she'll survive the night but will post an update tomorrow or if I hear anything sooner. I hope they have a strong family unit, because they'll need each other's support.

XOXO

 

[venray]

Always have time for prayers for others...Consider it done, Steph..I hope that she finds peace soon....


Ray

 

[ticklkitten]

THank you for touching my heart with your stories. THis girl and her family are in my prayers.

kitten

 

[kurchatovium]

Your an angel steph. God bless you. I will keep this lady and her family in my prayers. 😀

 

[giantfan121262]

Consider it done. As a parent I can imaginr the heartache her parents are feeling right now. My heart goes out to her parents and more important, her kids. To hear of such a story really is a tragedy to say the least.

 

[steph]

Thank you Ray and Giant!

Sweet Kitten, working in a hospital too, I know you can relate...

(blushes at Kurch) Well, not really hon~my patients all think so, but they're as adorably nutty as you! Hee!

XOXO

 

[sole seeker]

God watch over that girl and her family, and all of us.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

May the Lord bring peace to all involved...including you, Steph. It's a tragic loss. But, hopefully, some good will come.

Ann

 

[Coffee]

Consider it done Steph,

The world would be a different place if more people took a few minutes for bathroom sniffles.

Coffee

 

[featherfingers]

I can't really add much more to what these kind people have already said, but my prayers are with the lady and her family...and with you, too, Sweet Steph. Nurses really are Angels in disguise.

 

[steph]

Thank you all sweet friends~

Well, I don't work Saturdays but I made a special drive in this morning just to check on her. (About 25 mins from my house.) She's still hanging in, looks a little better physically~course that doesn't mean much I guess. She has a pretty big supportive fam, lots of sibs, stepsibs, parents, steps, etc. have come in to be with her, according to her chart.

She apparently has a history of substance abuse, she was admitted earlier this year and tested positive then. (The doctors already knew she's tested dirty this time but she denied it when they asked her.) The indications so far look as if they might still intend to pull the plug but I'll keep you posted. Bless you all!

XOXO

 

[Majestic]

Thanks for feeling comfortable enough to share this story and ask your fellow TMFers for prayers. I will offer up a request to my Goddess and God for her,her family and for you as well for caring about a complete stranger. There's not alot like you left.

Majestic

 

[ticklishscribe]

I vote for Steph for Angel of all time.

Steph I was there at the hospital when my mother psat away and I know how these people feel. I will pray for fer and her family and keep them in my thoughts.

= Steph.

 

[steph]

(blushes)Why thank you m'dears 🙂 One of the neat things about the job is I get to hear it all the time from my patients and their families but (secretly) I never tire of it.

I always think I care a little too much but every November I come up for review and every year my boss always tells me the same thing, "You know, there aren't too many people who can do this job and as well as you do it..." (I recover about half a million $ per year for the hospital, just because people like me and want to cooperate with the process so I guess that's pretty cool)I always laugh and tell her she's full of shit (we're friends too)but I beam all day afterwards.

I do what I do, because it's my way, sweet love, don't know how to do it any other way...One day when I need help, I hope some of it will have mattered 😉
Thanks again for your prayers. For sanity's sake, I won't check back in on her until tomorrow but I'll let you all know what's up then...Love you all!

 

[ticklishscribe]

I vote for Steph for Angel of all time.

Steph I was there at the hospital when my mother past away and I know how these people feel. I will pray for for and her family and keep them in my thoughts.

= Steph.

 

[steph]

Not an angel honey but thank you for thinking so!

XOXO

 

[kurchatovium]

Nope your an angel steph. 😀 😀 See I have irrefutable photographic evidence ============>

 

[steph]

giggles

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, thank you sweet love but it's not the truth, even though my patients always tell me THEY think so...I always say, "please no, very much the opposite but if you think so, that's all that matters"...I've many past sins to make up for I'm afraid

XOXO

 

[steph]

Ok, gang~it's official. Gina is no longer with us, presumably because her family opted to take her off life support, or maybe she had a previous DNR (your wish in writing to NOT be kept alive via life support.)
Not sure of the circumstances and I probably won't know for a while but my friend from financial counseling is following the case~I don't get to actively work the case for at least a couple weeks and if it turns out she has private funding, I'll never get the account. But I can still check in on the folder notes and will update you if I hear anything new. Thanks for being so supportive everyone!

XOXO

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Been here, Steph. I had a cousin who wound up in a coma after a botched suicide attempt, three weeks after his release from Attica a few years ago. The agony his older sister (and all of us) went through, in making the decision to pull the plug was something no one should have to endure.

I have on my mind this holiday season, a young girl I know who's going through a super human test. She's getting divorced, she has a crap job, and a little kid who's a handful...and she was just diagnosed with breast cancer. The chemo starts next week. She's 26.

I've read your stuff here quite a bit lately, and, as I've gotten to know you better, you seem to be fleshing out as someone extraordinary, Steph. And, that's good.

 

[MAJ0718]

Steph,

I am so sorry for your loss. I am at a loss for words, but I have written you in PM to express my feelings the best way I could. You are a very strong woman for supporting this poor young lady, and there's a place in Heaven for you.

 

[steph]

Thank you Knox for the kind compliments

I am so sorry for what must have been an agonizing time for your family. I have a new friend who no longer speaks to her brother and sister for pulling the plug on her Mom. She said she didn't have the guts and left it up to them. I've no idea what I'd do in a situation like that. I carry my own DNR with me in my wallet since I was 19, I didn't want my family to have to decide.

I hope your friend pulls thru~they said God never gives you more than you're equipped to handle. She must be VERY stong.

XOXO

 

[steph]

Dunno bout all that hon, but I'm VERY flattered, just doing my job my friend. I am sorry for your story as well...Knox is right, no one should have to go thru this...I just hope her family is doing alright. The holidays can be very sad sometimes

XOXO

Steph,

I am so sorry for your loss. I am at a loss for words, but I have written you in PM to express my feelings the best way I could. You are a very strong woman for supporting this poor young lady, and there's a place in Heaven for you.