The Antidote

Last week, on an exceptionally busy morning at work, I had already been verbally assaulted by two patients and it wasn't even 8:30 am. Both had dementia on some level which makes it a bit easier to not take it personally. One called another nurse and me a less than flattering name and in the next room the patient told the CNA and me how awful we were and continued on about the poor care as we were spending twenty minutes getting her cleaned up and lifted to the chair for breakfast. As a coworker who had overheard both experiences was joking with me about my morning thus far, our amazing chaplain happened to be standing nearby. Without hesitation he said, "I have the antidote for that!" He took my hand, look me directly in the eyes and told me what he appreciates about me. He is one of the most authentic people I have had the pleasure of interacting with so his words were not lost on me. It was a moment I will never forget and a beautiful gesture. In a couple of weeks I will easily forget the names I was called by the two patients but the kindness he showed to me will remain for a very long time.

Today, I took the kids to school, went for a run and grabbed a coffee. This is my usual routine on days I'm not at work. I was feeling down and mulling over a few things....until I looked in my rear-view mirror once I arrived in my neighborhood. In the car behind me, two dogs were sticking their heads out the window as the driver stalked me to my house. It was such a great picture. My friend Susan, who always has at least two dogs attached to her at all times, realized she was driving behind me and decided to follow me home just to see how I was this morning. It took her off her path and out of her routine for a few moments but I was so grateful for the kindness AND for the image of the two happy dogs with the wind in their fur.

This time of year is hard for many people. We see it at the hospital with flu on the rise but also with mental health related visits. We hear it in the stress of the patients and families in the hall. And I hear it in my friends' voices when they list off all the things they have to do before the end of the year. WE have the antidote. Kindness. I have been the recipient of some amazing kindness lately and it is a good reminder to me to try to return the favor - even when it takes me out of my routine or takes extra time. 

I am reading an AMAZING book right now. I am prolonging the ending because I hate when a good book ends. The book is Well by Sarah Thebarge. Sarah is a physician's assistant who, in her 20's nearly lost her life to breast cancer. She survived and is currently a journalist and medical professional who regularly serves on missions internationally. Her book is about her time caring and serving others in Togo, West Africa. I don't think you need to be in medicine to appreciate the message of the book (although perhaps a little graphic at times). She is only in her 30's but I want to be like her when I grow up. One of the phrases she repeats often in the book is "love looks around." So, this season I am going to try to take moments and look outside myself. To look around and try to extend even just a bit of the kindness I have been shown.