Last February my man "friend," Nick, had a "massive" heart attack. As he struggled to breathe, I called 911. The firemen came, followed by the ambulance and its attendants. In a very orderly fashion, they worked to stabilize Nick and transport him to the hospital. I followed behind. After an angiogram and a stint placement, he was transferred to the Cardiac ICU, where we settled in for the next five days.
With bells ringing, lights flashing and whistles blowing, electronic wizardry monitored Nick's heart rhythm, blood oxygen level, blood pressure and pulse. The gadgets were crucial, but the nurses were invaluable. To what could have been a very dehumanizing experience, these women enfolded Nick with thoughtful kindness. It was obvious that Nick was not a diagnosis in a bed. He had no doubt the nurses cared and his well-being was important to them.
Nick's cardiologist, Dr. Prabhu, was extremely well-trained and a very kind soul. Knowing Dr. Prabhu was heading the medical helm gave us confidence and a sense of safety, but the ever-present ICU nurses were our vital, human link.
Our bodies, minds and spirits are an integrated whole. Hardware and technicians can tinker with the body's mechanics ad infinitum. However, if the patient's emotional and spiritual needs go untended, the body will die. The ICU nurses provided the healing, human touch.
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