This morning I was sitting in my kitchen having my breakfast and I was thinking about what I wanted to write about today. Often my ideas come to me the moment I sit in front of my computer, and I begin typing. It has always been that way ever since I began writing this dignity message back in July of 2022 and today is no different. As I began to type I started to reflect on my career as a nurse. I was not thinking about my accoplishments but more about those patients I took care of who helped me grow as a nurse and as a person. I have come to understand that without the thousands of interactions I have had as a nurse and a person I would not be where I am today. Here are some of my experiences I would like to share with you.
I was working as a nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was my first day off orientation and I had to care for an eighteen-year-old patient who was on his way to work, and he got in a car accident. We were keeping him alive until his family could decide if they wanted to make him an organ donor. The family was from the Middle East, so it was important to me that I understood how they saw death as well as how difficult a decision it would be for his parents. This was my first day on my own and I knew my role was to be there for this family. I learned that day how important it was to understand the beliefs of others so that I could not only become a better nurse but a better person.
I took care of a patient who had spent most of his life in the corrections system. He grew up in the streets of Springfield, Ma., and spent most of his life in gangs and selling drugs. He came to the hospital often because of the effects of diabetes which led to chronic wounds and kidney disease. In the years that I cared for him he lost both legs and needed dialysis three times a week. He often came to us with guards and handcuffs. He was angry and difficult to take care of. As we began to get to know each other I learned about his life, and I began to understand the choices he made and why he had so much anger. Prior to meeting this patient, I used to say how I had struggles in my life too, but I was able to make it. I had one thing this patient didn’t have and that was family and friends who supported me. Because of him I am choosing to be the light to lead others out of darkness.
I took care of a World War II veteran who was in ICU. He was very sick. I was in his room doing some work and his wife came in. We began to talk, and she told me the story of how they met. They met three weeks before he was sent to Europe. In that time, they decided to get married, and they spent the last week together before he left for war. She did not see him for another 3 years. During those times getting information was not like today. She told me that she lived on faith and the hope that God would bring him home. She said it wasn’t easy waiting, but she said that she made a commitment to God and her husband, so she waited for him to return home to her. She said the road to a successful loving marriage wasn’t easy. No one really talks about the struggles post war of our WWII veterans. She said there were times they didn’t know if they would make it. All too often when things get hard, I just give up and move on to the next thing. This couple taught me that sometimes when you stay and fight amazing things can happen for you.
I have been blessed that I have gotten to know so many amazing people. They have touched my life and given me the opportunity to pay it forward. I hope that I can one day be the story someone tells of how I helped change their life in a positive way.
I dedicate this post to my mother in-law and father in-law who celebrate 51 years of marriage and my sister and brother in-law who are celebrating 19 years together. Your commitment to each other and to family is an amazing example that I have had the honor to witness.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 