Compassionate Staff Made Hospital Visits Bearable
Hospitalizations are disruptive.
When someone has to go the hospital, day-to-day routines take a back seat. Being at the hospital becomes the top priority and life must move around the illness.
But when a patient and family experience constant hospitalizations, this becomes their normal routine.
My youngest son, Caeleb, 15, has hemophilia, and he used to be have to go to the hospital when we were unable to treat from home the pain he experienced when his immune system rejected the infused clotting factor. He was sometimes hospitalized for days and weeks at a time. It was often exhausting, but for a family dealing with a chronic illness, a hospital becomes like a second home and the hospital staff become like family.
We called nurses by their names and not simply “nurse.” We asked each other about family and special events. How is your husband? Did your daughter’s recital go well? When is the baby due? They became familiar faces whose regular presence made each hospitalization a little less stressful.
Each doctor, nurse, and technician brought their own personality into our room, but these amazing men and women also took a deep interest in my son. Hospital staff often joked with him and got to know what video games and cartoons were his favorites, or they would bring him the last cup of chocolate ice cream. The hospital staff did so much to make sure we were as comfortable as possible.
I remember one nurse who brought a smile to our faces every time we saw her. Her bright red hair, smile, and enthusiasm were contagious and lit up the room. She would make sure we had fresh sheets on Caeleb’s bed and plenty of towels and ice, and she always had a word of encouragement. I looked forward to seeing her every time Caeleb faced being admitted, and bumping into her outside of the hospital was always a special treat.
I’m not sure if hospital staff understand how important they are to the families they serve. Not only are we, as caregivers, looking for help for our children, we also are in need of some normalcy from having to deal constantly with a chronic illness. The order and regularity of their jobs brought great comfort to my family. I could count on them no matter what happened, and the compassion they showed us helped to ease the stress of having a sick child. There are no words to thank them.
Now that Caeleb no longer requires frequent hospitalizations, I find myself missing these nurses and technicians, the cleaning ladies and the deli workers, and even the young residents who were still learning. I’m grateful for that time in the hospital, not only for the treatment my son received, but also for the love I saw in action by hospital staff.
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Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.
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