posted
There's no real point to this post except that I am really sad right now and need to express it a bit.
I went in for my first shift back at work after nearly three weeks away. I was flipping through the memo clipboard when I spotted a note about funeral arrangements being made for a resident named Linda.
Linda passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly just shy of two weeks ago. She aspirated some of her puréed dinner and was rushed to the hospital. She lost vitals on the way and was revived, but they were unable to suction the food and she passed away.
Linda was often stubborn, frequently a pest, and always interesting. She loved sitting in her corner and snoozing or watching activities in the house. She loved her "pop" (anything liquid and drinkable), and her "mommy," one of the staff in the house. Sometimes she would hang over your shoulder at dinner and grin at you. Sometimes she would follow me down the hall, making sure I was still there as I spent time with other residents. A few times I saw her very active and playful as staff chased her around the dining room table. She had an infectious laugh.
She was a fixture in the house and it just won't be the same without her. I went by the house today and it felt so empty, not seeing her in her corner and knowing I never would again. I was away for her death and her funeral, and I never really got to say goodbye.
So this is it. I remember you, Linda. I will miss you. And I'll see you again someday.
posted
I've both worked and volunteered at retirement homes. Its important work, its good to know such thoughful and caring people such as yourself are there doing it.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I figured it'd be better to reuse this thread than start another.
Yesterday I went in for my first shift in about a month. Shawnie died last Monday.
This is the third time in less than a year that one of my residents has died. And the third time every single person in the Centre neglected to inform me.
It really makes for a crummy day at work when you walk in and someone says "Uh, did you hear about X?"
Good bye, Shawnie. I hope you're in a happy, nautical type place now.
posted
Shawn was a bit of an odd fellow. He was usually quiet, and enjoyed playing with his toys or chewing on nearby fabric items. He was just a solid presence in the house, and his physical needs always kept us on our toes. When he smiled, you had to smile back. I never could get that guy clean shaven, either, no matter how hard I tried. If he'd been a macho kind of guy, he'd've done well.
He's... Shawn. Sometimes he got a little sneaky and would disconnect his feeding tube on me, causing mild panic and heart problems.
I had a chance to pray for him and his family in church today, which felt entirely fitting as a good bye.
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
I'm sorry for your loss, Eaquae Legit. It sounds like it was particularly difficult to find out that way.
I remember that my mother, who did work in a nursing home, would always read the Obituaries section of the paper first. Tough stuff.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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posted
EL, my wife worked in a similar place while we were dating. She did the laundry and gave the meds to a group of young men with severe mental problems. That was almost 20 years ago. She still avoids talking to anyone from there so she doesn't have to find out what ever became of "her boys."
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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