Many of you know that I have the nursing background as having been a registered nurse, or RN. I spent the first nineteen years of my career as a nurse, alternating between staff nurse, to surgical nurse manager and for a short while, nursing supervisor on week-ends. All of those roles were completed during the years I resided in the small town of Lenoir, a unique and lovely area nestled in the foothills of North Carolina. I ended my last 20 years employed by Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, NC, as director of a vocational one-year program called Surgical Technology. I retired in 2000. In 2002, with bittersweet emotions, I placed my nursing license on the non-active list in our state. It was a decision to retire, but leave the door open to return if I so desired.
I share this with you so that you may understand the story I am about to relate to you:
This past December 9, Lee had another large squamous cell growth removed from his upper forehead and scalp area. (This was the fourth in the past two years, across the same area, requiring large grafts.) Even though the Moh's was done locally, it was determined that the surgery would be too extensive therefore imperative that Lee return to Duke. We were fortunate to see his same surgeon the following Monday. The surgeon had a cancellation in her schedule and Lee was promptly asked if he would like to fill it on Friday the same week.
We both nodded in agreement because there he sat with his head completely bandaged covering the conspicuously large hole on the top of his head! It had now been left open for me to dress and cover for the past three days and I would need to continue that until we returned for the surgery four days later on Friday. After she described how she would repair with skin grafts she left us with the surgical resident. He looked at Lee's head and asked me what type of dressing I had been using. I answered that if he would gather the following supplies, (which he promptly gave to me), I would do the dressing myself before we left. He turned and looked at me and this is what he said:
YOU USED TO BE A NURSE, DIDN'T YOU? I redressed Lee's area and wondered why I had been somewhat offended by his remark.
It was the first time I had been addressed as a "used to be a nurse". I was somewhat taken aback by his comment. As unbelievable as it may sound, once a nurse, you always feel like a nurse. This had been reinforced over and over again through all the hospitalizations and conversations any and all times Lee has been at Duke. Most of the time I was recognized as a colleague of sorts and allowed to be part of the engaging conversations as regards to medications, procedures, complications, etc. and no one ever addressed my status as a USED to be nurse.I was most often introduced to others as "Lee's wife IS a nurse!".
I suppose I needed that; however, I still feel like a nurse and I am grateful for my background and expertise since it has been helpful to both of us. One of my most crowning moment was last summer when I was spending time with one of my granddaughters as she was planning to leave for her freshman year at ECU. She had just surprised me with her announcement that she would be pursuing a nursing degree! I had never heard her mention that she wanted to be a nurse! I asked her why, and when did she make that decision. She answered that she made the decision after watching how easy it was for me to help her granddaddy with all his care and she wanted to make sure that she could be ready to do that someday if she needed to!
WOW!
So, I would surmise in a number of ways, and to some very special people in my life , I am still a nurse!
I will continue to share stories with you from time to time and will keep you updated on Lee. Right now he has gone to the dentist to repair a tooth. He is out and about most days doing whatever he desires.
I will not predict how often I will write; because it depends on our schedule that is subject to change quickly. You may hear from me frequently or monthly, and hopefully not annually! I want to thank all of you who answered via FB. Your encouragement will keep me writing!
More Later.............................................................................Brenda
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