chris312
Jun 1, 2009, 02:34 PM
The book, focuses on nursing through Sue Bauer's life as a patient, grabbing the reader's attention into her shoes, experiences, thoughts, and heart. That's how it provides an interesting chance to gain perspective, since the way nurses interact with patients, residents and each other is a dynamic process where every little decision and step may affect, positively or negatively, a person's dignity. Sue is the victim in this case, and the way nurses mistreat her reflects how many patients are wrongly dealt with.
A striking aspect of the book is the way it's vivid both in setting and description: Sue Bauer suddenly realizes she's lost awareness of her legs and hands; after going through fasciculation and pain, one day she gets to the point where she can barely move. Bill, her husband, takes her to Gulf Land Hospital to get her tested. After a discouraging second result, Dr. Lohmann decides to refer her to neurologist Dr Munkel, who orders more testing to be done. The possible diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis, Myastenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, of which the latter is confirmed after she presents more exclusive symptoms that outruled the other two options. Sue slowly becomes more dependent on nurses and is overlooked by them, feeling she doesn't even exist for them. Nevertheless, some kindhearted nurses make a very special difference on her life.
Nursing is portrayed throughout the book in both positively and negatively: for many, Sue's merely an object, 'something' not worth trying to communicate or interact with. As her means of communication become weaker and lesser, some nurses don't even bother to pay attention, treat her as a human being, or explain to her what they're doing. Nurse Sandra ignores Sue's request for a bedpan and laughs it off while walking away, causing her to be 'a big mess' both physically and emotionally, and that's something that could've been prevented by the simple act of listening. Sue tries to signal to Nurse Carol that she bit her tongue, Carol misunderstands Sue when she signals to her thinking Sue thought she was going to bit her tongue. Later Nurse Carol gives her too much Benadryl which leads Sue into coma. (ignoring the fact that she shouldn't take too much medicine at once). Then there is Phil the nurse who never speaks or communicate with Sue. He treats her so rough, brutley forcing the IV in her veins while she's in coma. Aurilia's turning Sue side to side abruptly without care (in front of her husband) and shoving pillows behind her back. Roxanne neglects her, ignoring her perspiration and contenting herself with pulling up the covers. Craig doesn't even notice her face, mouth and pillows are wet, takes her vitals, turns her and leaves. Louise leaves her without back support for two hours. Bruce is nonchalant and dishonest, validating his actions (e.g. refusing to control the machines when they become harmful, by saying they're Dr Birmingham's orders or that it's for her own sake; forcing a peroxide swab down Sue's mouth to clean her teeth and forcing the Ng tube down Sue's nose and tell her to get used to it. Sue's protests (or attempts) are ignored all the way by many. Bill report to Dr Lohmann about the poor nurse treatment and concerns, but the doctor just denies it and claims sue is getting the best of care. Dr Lohmann always ignoring her eye signals and acting like he's has no time for her.
Of course, there's also the one who took that there time to give the best care: Vicki, Kathleen, Judith, Kay, James and Charles all make her stay worthwhile. Vicki in particular, talks to her and all the and acknowledges Sue's feelings, sharing her own in the process. Vicki very attentive checking her chart, giving her an enema when sue didn't go in a couple of days. Even when Vicki wasn't her nurse she would come in and speak sue and help her with anything she needed. Of the respiratory therapists, Charles is very caring, holding her hand, speaking directly to her, smiling warmly, making sure she's not uncomfortable. Kay, by his side, brings a very upbeat and high-spirited aura and explains Bill the necessary procedures how to clean and adjust the respirator. James, who moonlights as a respiratory therapist/nurse, very devoted, dependable and comforting Sue and holding her hand, to the point of becoming the go-to guy when another nurse had trouble turning her. Kathleen and Judith make her Christmas memorable, working together as a team, giving her the best time possible under the circumstances. They gave Sue their full attention make great effort to master her spelling and give her a soothing bath. Later, Judith comfort and hold Sue in her arms which singing lullabies. The encouraging nurse, Marie who reassures Sue that will become better in due time who brings a former successful and overcomer ICU patient to visit sue.
Bill's another big focus on the book, always supportive and positive from the moment they detected sue of Guillain-Barré . He's always supporting and positive, caring for her, taking all domestic and monetary responsibilities, being interested in her progress; his emotional journey also includes frustration over not getting answers to his questions and inquiries from the doctors and being strong enough to help Sue go through her own process, as the syndrome progresses attacked by nuero muscle causing paralysis, forces her to be connected to various pieces of equipment: tracheotomy, respirator, Foley Cather and IVs that went through the subclaves. She has lost all of her feelings except in her eyelids, which eventually Sue regains all her movement at the end as Craig fight and pushes for Sue restoration. While reading the book, I could only imagine how hard it could have been for Sue, and I virtually stepped in her shoes while she lost her ability to speak, move and interact. It have to heartbreaking lying there wanting and waiting for help only to get overlook or pass by. For instance, the night Sue waited thirty minutes to be repositon and change in bed. Sandra tells Sue to wait a minute and goes to talk to Craig and don't come back to thirty minutes later. That's just one of the many cases where she feels neglected and put aside. On a personal level I can relate to it because of my own relationship with my father, who always tried to make me perfect, ignoring me when I made mistakes, making me feel bad, crushing me emotionally... so I do know what is like to depend on another person only to suffer rejection. In my future as a nurse, I don't want to ever treat patients with such negligence; I want them to be comfortable with me, feel well, receive as much care and attention from me as possible. The Christmas sequence actually brought tears to my face, and I was impressed about how much nurses can do to make a person feel loved. I want to be that nurse that makes a difference. All patients should feel comfort, love and I want to be that nurse that provides both to them.
Thanks for you help me:)
A striking aspect of the book is the way it's vivid both in setting and description: Sue Bauer suddenly realizes she's lost awareness of her legs and hands; after going through fasciculation and pain, one day she gets to the point where she can barely move. Bill, her husband, takes her to Gulf Land Hospital to get her tested. After a discouraging second result, Dr. Lohmann decides to refer her to neurologist Dr Munkel, who orders more testing to be done. The possible diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis, Myastenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, of which the latter is confirmed after she presents more exclusive symptoms that outruled the other two options. Sue slowly becomes more dependent on nurses and is overlooked by them, feeling she doesn't even exist for them. Nevertheless, some kindhearted nurses make a very special difference on her life.
Nursing is portrayed throughout the book in both positively and negatively: for many, Sue's merely an object, 'something' not worth trying to communicate or interact with. As her means of communication become weaker and lesser, some nurses don't even bother to pay attention, treat her as a human being, or explain to her what they're doing. Nurse Sandra ignores Sue's request for a bedpan and laughs it off while walking away, causing her to be 'a big mess' both physically and emotionally, and that's something that could've been prevented by the simple act of listening. Sue tries to signal to Nurse Carol that she bit her tongue, Carol misunderstands Sue when she signals to her thinking Sue thought she was going to bit her tongue. Later Nurse Carol gives her too much Benadryl which leads Sue into coma. (ignoring the fact that she shouldn't take too much medicine at once). Then there is Phil the nurse who never speaks or communicate with Sue. He treats her so rough, brutley forcing the IV in her veins while she's in coma. Aurilia's turning Sue side to side abruptly without care (in front of her husband) and shoving pillows behind her back. Roxanne neglects her, ignoring her perspiration and contenting herself with pulling up the covers. Craig doesn't even notice her face, mouth and pillows are wet, takes her vitals, turns her and leaves. Louise leaves her without back support for two hours. Bruce is nonchalant and dishonest, validating his actions (e.g. refusing to control the machines when they become harmful, by saying they're Dr Birmingham's orders or that it's for her own sake; forcing a peroxide swab down Sue's mouth to clean her teeth and forcing the Ng tube down Sue's nose and tell her to get used to it. Sue's protests (or attempts) are ignored all the way by many. Bill report to Dr Lohmann about the poor nurse treatment and concerns, but the doctor just denies it and claims sue is getting the best of care. Dr Lohmann always ignoring her eye signals and acting like he's has no time for her.
Of course, there's also the one who took that there time to give the best care: Vicki, Kathleen, Judith, Kay, James and Charles all make her stay worthwhile. Vicki in particular, talks to her and all the and acknowledges Sue's feelings, sharing her own in the process. Vicki very attentive checking her chart, giving her an enema when sue didn't go in a couple of days. Even when Vicki wasn't her nurse she would come in and speak sue and help her with anything she needed. Of the respiratory therapists, Charles is very caring, holding her hand, speaking directly to her, smiling warmly, making sure she's not uncomfortable. Kay, by his side, brings a very upbeat and high-spirited aura and explains Bill the necessary procedures how to clean and adjust the respirator. James, who moonlights as a respiratory therapist/nurse, very devoted, dependable and comforting Sue and holding her hand, to the point of becoming the go-to guy when another nurse had trouble turning her. Kathleen and Judith make her Christmas memorable, working together as a team, giving her the best time possible under the circumstances. They gave Sue their full attention make great effort to master her spelling and give her a soothing bath. Later, Judith comfort and hold Sue in her arms which singing lullabies. The encouraging nurse, Marie who reassures Sue that will become better in due time who brings a former successful and overcomer ICU patient to visit sue.
Bill's another big focus on the book, always supportive and positive from the moment they detected sue of Guillain-Barré . He's always supporting and positive, caring for her, taking all domestic and monetary responsibilities, being interested in her progress; his emotional journey also includes frustration over not getting answers to his questions and inquiries from the doctors and being strong enough to help Sue go through her own process, as the syndrome progresses attacked by nuero muscle causing paralysis, forces her to be connected to various pieces of equipment: tracheotomy, respirator, Foley Cather and IVs that went through the subclaves. She has lost all of her feelings except in her eyelids, which eventually Sue regains all her movement at the end as Craig fight and pushes for Sue restoration. While reading the book, I could only imagine how hard it could have been for Sue, and I virtually stepped in her shoes while she lost her ability to speak, move and interact. It have to heartbreaking lying there wanting and waiting for help only to get overlook or pass by. For instance, the night Sue waited thirty minutes to be repositon and change in bed. Sandra tells Sue to wait a minute and goes to talk to Craig and don't come back to thirty minutes later. That's just one of the many cases where she feels neglected and put aside. On a personal level I can relate to it because of my own relationship with my father, who always tried to make me perfect, ignoring me when I made mistakes, making me feel bad, crushing me emotionally... so I do know what is like to depend on another person only to suffer rejection. In my future as a nurse, I don't want to ever treat patients with such negligence; I want them to be comfortable with me, feel well, receive as much care and attention from me as possible. The Christmas sequence actually brought tears to my face, and I was impressed about how much nurses can do to make a person feel loved. I want to be that nurse that makes a difference. All patients should feel comfort, love and I want to be that nurse that provides both to them.
Thanks for you help me:)