Yesterday I grieved with a family that wasn’t mine

I can’t post this anywhere else due to patient privacy rights...

I became a nurse in July and couldn’t find a job. I ended up at an assisted living facility which I thought would be invaluable and a waste of time. However yesterday I was reminded of how special my job really is.

We have a husband and wife that share a room. They have both been on hospice for several months. However over the weekend they both took a turn for the worst. I came in yesterday morning to see her in a wheelchair at his bedside holding hands. She hadn’t left there for 36+ hours. Both where sleeping comfortably. I was medicating him every hour to keep him comfy and at peace. Around lunch time I went in to find him no longer breathing. And her still at his bedside holding his hand.

It was the most precious heartbreaking thing. I cried and held onto the wife and told her we all loved her.

The family finally came in, in tears. We all stood together hugging and crying. It was such a special moment.

The corner started prepping the body rolling him into a plastic bag. The other nurse gave him a kiss on the cheek and said goodbye. I stood in front of the family all holding hands so they didn’t see the dehumanizing side of death.

It was such a rough night. I felt as if I was part of the family, all crying together. Today we anticipate the death of the wife. His other half. They’ll be together once again.

💕 ✨

She passed away today, less than 24 hours later.. 😥😭