When you think back about how all the patients in your life have touched you, do you wonder why? Why were they placed here for you? What lesson did they teach you? How did their presence change your life? I asked these questions about my patient, Ulysses.
Ulysses was a young man with diabetes. I first met him when he came to my department for an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). I quickly learned what kind of person he was by his humor. Ulysses had no arms or legs-only stumps. When I asked him where the other nurses were taking his blood pressure, he told me they wrapped the cuff around his neck! He said it only lasted a short time and this was how they kept him quiet. His gentle laughter after that prank told me this man was quietly funny (and no, we didn't use his neck)!
Ulysses was having many problems with his diabetes. The gastroparesis associated with diabetes caused him a great deal of problems. He eventually developed liver problems and then became what we called a "serial paracentesis patient." Despite these challenges, Ulysses was strong and kept the faith. He talked about God and his reason for being on earth. He said he was there for the people. He was at times funny, then serious, and even a great consolation during a difficult time in my life.
When Ulysses came down for his paracentesis one day, I received a phone call from my mother, who was taking care of my son, Jamie. Jamie has cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder. Both my father and I were 1 hour away from home. That day, Jamie began to seize and mother had to call an ambulance. I was the only person left in the department with Ulysses when this happened. He told me to pull the drain and go home. I didn't; my mother and child were en route to the hospital by ambulance and it would take a while for them to reach us. Ulysses prayed with me, cried with me, and consoled me. This gentle man, who had suffered so much in his life, who was my patient, became my comforter. After sending Ulysses back to his room, I met my mother and son at the hospital. Jamie was okay; Ulysses was not.
When I came to work the next day, I discovered Ulysses had been transferred to the intensive care unit. He had gone into a diabetic coma. They weren't sure if he would make it through the day. Our caseload was light, so a colleague and I went to be with our gentle patient. On arriving, Ulysses was in a "full arrest" and attempts were being done to revive him. I stood at the head of his bed with the respiratory therapist and spoke to him as the medical team tried to work their magic. I told him that he had been there for me and I wanted to be there for him.
Ulysses did not make it that day, but he still remains in my heart and my thoughts. Ulysses had no family, but he didn't die alone. Our patients can teach us many things such as courage, strength, and caring. I hope to meet and care for many more patients like Ulysses. I hope like Ulysses, they can teach me something new as well. We must remember our patients are people, not "another case." They need someone to talk to when they are scared and "we" might be that person. They need someone to hold their hand or pray with them. When we take the time to really care, we may be giving them the best medicine they need-a friend.