Nurse:”It was a busy morning, approximately 8.30 am , when
an elderly gentleman, in his 80%, presented to have sutures (stitches) removed
from his thumb.
He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at
9.00 am. I (nurse) took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it
would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch and since I was not busy with
another patient, I had a look at his wound. On examine it was well healed, so I
talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and
redressed his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we fell into a deep conversation.
I asked him if he had a doctor’s appointment this morning somewhere else, as he
was is such a hurry. The gentleman told me no. He said he needed to go to the
nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I then inquired as to
her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a
victim of Alzheimer Disease.
As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound.
I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He
replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in
five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, “And you are still going every
morning , even though she doesn’t know who you are?” He smiled as he patted my
hand and said. “ She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.”
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my
arm, and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”