(From the perspective of a nurse)
Â
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s presented to have sutures (stitches) removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had to be somewhere at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.
Â
I saw him looking at his watch and decided since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
Â
While tending to his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had an appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease. As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
Â
I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?"
Â
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is."
Â
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."