i've had 4 days on the palliative care ward and i've learned a lot already. It is the small things in life that really matter. it's so rewarding - the smile when i wrapped my patient in blankets (straight from the blanket warmer) after giving her a bath in the giant tub in the tubroom (bubbles and jazz music included). the bony handshake at the end of the day as we say goodnight. the inevitable "thank you julia" as i help in the bathroom. recognizing when the pain meds just aren't cutting it anymore and bringing it to the attention of the doctor. these are the things that matter in life.
i don't like poo. more specifically, i don't like bum-wiping. on babies, it's not as bad, but on adults... the other day i had the opportunity to help a colleague clean up her patient, and his bed, which was covered with poo. i described this gag-inducing experience and my reaction in my journal that i weekly hand in to my instructor. she understood, of course, and gave me some really good advice.
the advice came to mind the next day as i was with a patient in the bathroom. when she thanked me for helping her do up her pants, i realized that she cannot do something so simple as this... by herself. she needs me. and i have the opportunity to rid her of her discomfort, of her potential embarrassment. she is in need and i can help. i can make a very important difference in her life right at this moment.
it's those little things again that make the difference. i think i may just be gaining a new perspective on poo.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
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Question - for me, the worst part of poo is the poosmell. Well, and the fact that it's poo, but of course it's poo, because we're talking about poo. Anyway. I know that some people who work in occupations that involve icky smells rub stuff like Vicks on their upper lip so it overpowers the icky smell. Is that something that is even feasible in your situation? I would hate to embarrass someone by gagging over their smell (well, plus I don't want to smell it), but yet I'd also hate to embarrass them by obviously rubbing smelly things on me first.
Smells are the thing that worry me the most about nursing. I'm not sure if that's strange.
not so strange. i hate poosmell. actually, i hate a lot of smells in the hospital. thankfully, i had a cold during my only really nasty (read: goopy) dressing change. apparently wounds can get pretty smelly.
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