I met Pam almost 20 years ago when I was fresh out of nursing school; a newly hired nurse in the critical care unit. She was comfortable. She was a seasoned nurse that didn't take herself seriously. She had a great sense of humor. When I saw her name on the same schedule as mine, I knew the shift was going to be filled with shenanigans and hijinks.
She was not only funny, but she was also wise. Her perspective on life was one of her most endearing traits. During times of patient deaths and other tragedies, she was often the voice of neutrality. She reminded me that we can do the work to help people get well, but ultimately, the outcomes are out of our hands. Pam was a celebrity on our unit. Her claim to fame was the baths she gave her patients.
It was not a wipe down. Bag baths were declassee. Pam preferred good old fashioned wash rags, water basin and warm water. The grand finale was a back and hand massage. If time permitted, some lucky patients received a bonus experience; the salon. The salon included soft background music, an application of lip balm, a dash of baby powder, hair detangling and a style typically 2 plaits. Our unit was non-stop and fast paced, without a moment to breathe.
We were the last unit on the block. We were the unit where other hospitals sent their sickest patients. The only way patients left our unit was either they graduated to step down or graduated to the morgue.
Despite this level of activity, Auntee Pam made sure she provided the spa treatment to ALL of her patients. No matter the type of night; no matter how busy; no matter if it was time to clock out Auntee Pam made sure she provided the spa treatment to ALL of her patients. Imagine being alone with your thoughts, confined to a bed, in a dark room, in a critical care unit and your only departure options are graduating to stepdown or graduating to the morgue. Imagine being alone with your thoughts, confined to a bed, in a dark room, in a critical care unit; not knowing if you will wake up tomorrow; fearing death is near; anxious about the people you may leave behind; depressed about things left undone; shame about taking your health for granted; regret for not living your dreams Imagine being on the brink of death, experiencing all those emotions simultaneously; fully aware of your departure options; alone with your thoughts; confined to a bed; in a dark room, in the critical care unit.
