Meet Maen, our sales team all-star!
Reflecting on the time his father battled cancer in the hospital, he remembers the nurses who played such an important part in his father's recovery.
Continue reading as Maen shares his heartfelt story of how nurses have impacted him and his family during a difficult time, and his appreciation for all the healthcare heroes who always lead with love and care.
You can work with hospitals every day and get to know them pretty well, but no matter how hard you try to empathize with a patient or family member, you’ll always fall short of a true understanding of their situation and everything they are feeling.
Unexpected Challenges
When my dad was admitted to the hospital, it was a complete shock. He was fighting cancer but had recovered from surgery in record time, and his first few infusion sessions, where he proudly sported his Care+Wear Chest Port Access Hoodie, were a breeze. Before every session, his blood was taken and checked, his numbers looked great each time, and he was certain he would beat his diagnosis.
One night after dinner, my dad felt some pain in his stomach. His first thought was that something he ate didn’t sit right, and my mom - admittedly the best cook any of us know - promptly defended her work. His pain grew but he found the strength to take himself to the emergency room. He told his story often, each time struggling to accurately describe the level of pain he was in. ‘Unimaginable’ didn’t quite do it justice.
Recalling a Critical ER Visit
When he arrived at the emergency room, there was no rush to admit him. After all, he had brought himself in and on the surface, he looked fine. Told that there were more urgent cases ahead of him, he waited. Every now and then, he would be checked in on and repeat to the nurse on duty how he felt. When the shift changed, a new nurse came over to dad and talked to him for a moment and almost instinctively she knew something was up. She made every effort to admit him quickly and her decision was quickly vindicated.
The Vital Role of Nurses
It is always hard when a family member has to spend time in the hospital, and dad’s stay was a lot longer than most. It is hard to see someone you love in pain, and it’s also hard to see the stress of that and the stress of added responsibilities for other family members.
I was personally surprised at just how involved nurses are in a patient's stay at a hospital. Among other things, I feel like a lot of people don’t understand until they’ve been in the hospital how much time is spent with nurses compared to the doctors. While doctors are undoubtedly crucial to patient care and outcomes and responsible for diagnosing and managing medical conditions, nurses have as great an impact on patient care, outcomes, and experiences at the hospital.
They're the ones who are by your loved one's side day in and day out, providing around-the-clock support and assistance and ensuring that your family member receives the best possible care. Their dedication and expertise are nothing short of remarkable, and it's important to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions they make to the healthcare system every single day.
Now that my dad has recovered and is out of the hospital, when I think back to that time, above anything else, I remember the people that were there and the nurses that made his success possible.
Expressing Gratitude
As we celebrate Nurses Month, I am filled with gratitude for the countless nurses and healthcare professionals who tirelessly serve their communities with grace and humility. To all those who have touched my family's life and the lives of so many others, I extend my heartfelt appreciation. Your work does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to healing, comfort, and care.
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