Helping a fellow Jehovah's Witness.

ScoobySnax

I work on a busy Surgical ward in the NHS. The other morning during handover the night staff handed over that a certain woman in a particular bed was a JW. Her Hb was low at 7dgb following surgery etc etc.....and she was just silly for not accepting a blood transfusion.

I spent most of the day busy, but kept a mental note to go and see her in particular, to let her know that I understood where she was coming from. Eventually the end of my shift came, and I went and saw her. I chatted for ages by her bed about how she wasn't to worry and that we'd get her written up for some Iron tablets and try everything to try and raise her Hb (blood count) whilst respecting her wishes. With her was her daughter and son in law. who thanked me so hard for understanding. They related that a nurse the previous day had told them that she was crazy for not accepting blood, and also the Consultant had bullied them on the blood issue, and that was the reason for her feeling so awful.

At this point, I had to tell them about my past as a JW, and that I'd do every thing I could to help them. The patient told me that she had laid in her bed just hoping that someone would come by (she said maybe another patient) to give her some strength to endure. I did hold her hand, and her family were there with tears streaming down their faces.

So far it is good news, after 3 days on Ferrous Sulphate her mean Hb has risen to 8.4dgb, and I'm glad of that, she is feeling much better.

Her family (Witnesses) told me outside that they were so pleased that I'd taken the time to say hello, and help. And you know what at the end of that particular shift I was so knackered and tired and thought twice about going to see her. Now I'm glad I did. I didn't by any means save her, maybe the doctors would have put her on the medication she needed anyway, but the most gratifying thing was her to hold my hand and tell me that what she had prayed had come true. someone had listened and tried to help her. She credited Jehovah for that. I just was glad I took the time out and the end of a busy shift to give some support.

I think you can never underestimate, what a few kind words can achieve.

franklin J

scooby,

you are a kind decent human being; the JWs do not have the markets cornered for that particular human trait. And you certainly have proved it to them.

You have proved that there is life and kindness post JW....good for you

Frank

CountryGuy

Hey Scoob,

I'm glad that you were able to help a patient.
Ultimately, I guess that's what being a nurse is all about, right?

Country

Big Tex

Good for you Scoob. I really mean that.

And yes, the power of a kind word, or time spent is often ignored. I hope she recovers.

Fleur

yes, it seems so many like to paint those who leave the jw's as soul-less, selfish, horrible people with the wrong 'heart condition'...but looking at what you just did, they'd have a hard time saying it about you.

good for you, and i'm glad she's getting better. i hope she fully recovers. i think that there are few circumstances in life where kindness isn't appropriate. you did good, and made us proud :)

hugs

fleur

cruzanheart

Good for you, Scooby. Whether she was a Jehovah's Witness or a Muslim, your kindness was perfectly timed. Always act from your heart and you can't go wrong!

Nina

Rabbit

Scooby...

Good for you. It is all about respecting a persons beliefs, whether you agree or not...in a decent way.

Thanks, Lee

ScoobySnax

Yes you are right, as a nurse you help any and everyone. I'd have done the same if she were Muslim, Hindu, Catholic or whatever. That is a requirement. But I did feel a special affinity with her being a Witness.

Its funny, I'm doing my damned hardest to get this woman into post where I work as my PA. She has been treated badly I think, yet is an excellent PA. She happens to be a Mormon, and a very devout one at that. The other day she said to me, "Why are you going out on a limb for me?" I told her that it was because she had excellent qualifications for the post I was looking for. She then said, "Isn't it strange, JWs and Mormons are supposed to be deadly enemies.....yet you are helping me" I told her I didn't know where she got that idea from, and we both laughed.

Its amazing how much predjudice can exist between people of other faiths, when really it isn't their at all.

LOL. Scoob

Fleur

when i was in the hospital having my daughter, and having a hard time, there was a nurse who was especially kind to me, came back at the end of her shift to see my baby after i finally delivered.

she told me that her best friend for years had become a jw, and that she felt a special 'protectiveness' for me because of that.

no matter the reason, i was grateful for her kindness to me when i was in such pain. i won't ever forget it, and i doubt that the lady, or her family, will forget you either, scooby.

i raise my mug to nurses. you are so underappreciated. there were a couple when my dad was ill that were really mean, but there were a couple who made the whole experience much less painful with their simple kindnesses to me as i sat vigil at his bedside.

thanks to all the nurses here, you are appreciated!

hugs

fleur

Black Sheep

Good on you Scooby, the world needs more people like you.

Helping a fellow Jehovah's Witness.

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