Memories....

I found a friend last night on Facebook. I don't know why, but I just typed his name in and clicked on “Search” and there he was. I am glad to say that he is living the life he chose: happy, and content with his lot in life.

It made me think about another person I met a very long time ago. It amazes me, the people I can remember from so long ago. I have had so many patients within my career, but this one was special. And unforgettable, apparently.

I first met him the morning I was to be his Student Nurse. I don't recall the details but, somehow, the patient I was originally assigned to care for was not available. So, he became my patient. I had already heard about him, on the news....

Not many planes crash near downtown Podunk. He was a crop duster and managed to crash with a full load of dusting chemicals in a dirt field not far from Main Street. He had to be extricated from the plane, then washed down thoroughly to remove the chemicals from his skin. Only then could his broken bones be treated.

He was a tall man, about my age, and very outgoing. He loved to talk and he knew how to make people comfortable around him. Within five minutes of walking in his room and introducing myself, we were talking like old friends.

Later in the morning, he rang his call light and I went to see what he needed. He wanted to go to the bathroom. I quickly pulled my “cheat sheet” out of my pocket and yes, he had “bathroom privileges.” After much discussion about the right way to help him, he decided to try to walk with his arm around my shoulders and my arm around his back.

It wasn't the way I was taught to assist patients but, it was how he was willing to do it. And being a new, and student, nurse, I let him have his way. As we stood up, next to the bed, he realized that it wasn't going to work and sat back down, suddenly, on the edge of the bed. Of course, since we had our arms around each other, I sat down suddenly, too.

As if on cue, the door opened and there was my instructor. I turned beet red, partially because she was standing there and mostly because he whispered in my ear: “am I your first pilot?” Whatever the reason, I wanted to crawl in a hole: I was sure that my instructor would make mincemeat out of me at any second.

Ah, but he had other ideas. He looked at her, smiled a big smile and said: “Good morning, lovely lady, who are you?” As I extricated myself from his arm, he continued to charm my instructor. He did such a good job that it was hours later before I got an “inservice” on proper body mechanics and transferring patients—and she had a physical therapist instruct me...

Since I worked while I was attending nursing school, as a Student Nurse Aide, I had opportunities to see him throughout his stay in the hospital. I worked the PM shift, as an aide, and I always made him milkshakes for a snack, in the evening. We would have a nice chat and then I would be off to help other patients as he visited with his family.

Within a year of that incident, he was in the news again. Another crop dusting plane; another crash. But this time, he wasn't so lucky....

The FAA spokesman said it was highly unusual for the engine to fall out of a plane....