Do The Right Thing

The work I have been doing on a letter to the editor recently has got me thinking about people who do the right thing even when it flies in the face of conventional wisdom. With out being too political suffice it to say that my letter is regarding the educational system in NJ, I have many friends who are teachers, to their dismay I side with Governor and the President on this issue.

Here's a story about someone who did the right thing:

It was the sobbing that caught Myrle Neal’s attention as she walked past the door of room 1722 in Proverbs Hospital, early in her Nursing shift that night. It was the sound of a little boy’s cry, voiced by a baritone man, and it sent a dagger into her heart.

Myrle knew the patient in 1722; of course she did. It was Jacob the custodian.

Jacob had worked at this Chicago hospital for his entire adult life, if you could call it that. Though Jacob was actually 37 years of age, he had the mental capacity of a 9 year old. That’s what the psychologists said anyway. A rather responsible 9 year old at that, for Jacob was always on time to work, and never missed a day. Jacob was detail oriented in his accomplishment of tasks, and understood the importance of cleanliness to the hospital.

Jacob was now a patient, Jacob was very ill. Jacob had inoperable cancer, he was dying, and he was in pain.

Myrle entered the room. Jacob liked Myrle, he stopped crying to talk with her.

“Why are you crying Jacob?” Myrle asked. “Are you in pain right now?”

“It hurts a lil” Jacob replied, “but that’s not hows come um cryin,” He said.

“Well, why are you crying then?” Myrle asked.

“I wish my Mommy was here, that’s why,” Jacob said.

Myrle was aware that Jacobs Mother had passed away a couple of years ago leaving him to be taken care of in a group home. Up until her death Jacob’s Mother took care of him, like she would a young child. It was what he needed.

“If your Mother was here right now, what do you think she would do for you Jacob?”

“She would hold me, and rub my back,” Jacob said.

So Myrle pushed back her feeling of awkwardness, and did a courageous thing.

Myrle told Jacob to move over a little in the bed, she sat down next to him, and with a Mothers embrace, she pulled him in close. Jacob cried a little more, so Myrle rubbed his back.

It took a while. It put her behind on her floor duties, and it was against protocol, but soon Jacob was sleeping peacefully.

That night Jacob had the first good night’s sleep he had had in weeks. Well rested, Jacob had a pretty good day when he woke up, as well.

What a gift Myrle had given Jacob.

Nursing isn’t only about administering medicine, taking vital signs, and keeping accurate chart records. A truly great nurse ministers to the soul as well as the body.