My Loving Lover💖✨: Episode Five

 Five

Sharon resumed morning duty the following day. She had been practicing as a nurse professional for about 5 years now. And had come across many experiences. 

Nursing had not been her choice of course of study when she was seeking admission into tertiary institution....she had wanted to study pharmacy. But, as the education system of the country would have it, she got admission into the university to study nursing that year. She was not expecting it. Though she had nothing against nursing, she had just never seen herself as a nurse. 

But she was thankful she had studied the course.

The Lord made her discover her purpose in life during the course of her study in the university. And she is not just a nurse, but a nurse with the the Holy Spirit.

"Good morning Nurse Olive" she said gaily to her colleague at work. 

"Good morning Nurse Steve" she replied in the same manner, though had a strain of tiredness which was revealed through her eyes and voice.

Nurse Steve Sharon went into the changing room to change into her scrub- the uniform she wears on duty.

She said a short prayer before she went out to the nurses' station. She would soon take over her duty for the day, something she always looked forward to. She always saw her duty as an opportunity to show someone the love of Christ. Many come to the hospital, hopeless. There are some that have terminal illnesses and are to be managed until peaceful death, some have family issues whereby there's no one to show them love and care even on the sickbed, and some have financial issues. Many come to the hospital heavily-ladened, and one truth that she is ever sure of is this: only Christ can give rest.

There was a beep on her phone. It was a message from Ola: " Have a calm shift baby. Love, Ola"  The message had ended with a love emoji.

"And have a bright and colorful day hon. Kisses" Sharon replied the text as she smiled as she put back her phone inside her scrub pocket. 

"How was the shift? " Sharon asked as she took a glance round the ward. The beds in the eight-bedded ward filled with patients, only two beds were vacant, and she later came to realize that the patients on them went for X-ray. 

"I had a calm shift, though I wish it was calmer. Chief Begunro had been restless through the night.  Even after his medication of pentazocine, he was still in pains. And you know as an alcoholic, his resistance to analgesic is quite on the high. His family already requested a DAMA (Discharge Against Medical Advice). I counselled them to continue treatment, until he gets better, but they said they haven't seen any changes for the past five days that he had been brought to the hospital. I called Doctor Ike to inform him of the decision, to see if he could talk them out of it. He asked if I had counselled them medically and made them see reasons to stay, I replied in the affirmative, then he said I should give them the form. According to him, he would be around to sign the form by 8:30am today."

"What of Chief Begunro himself, is he in agreement with the decision?" Sharon asked.

"Well, he is passive. He is too much pains even to say a yes or no"

"I will speak to him, so he could give the final verdict about the DAMA. He is not a minor neither is he unconscious, so he should get to make the decision about his health and treatment, and not thrown in the dark."

Nurse Olive officially handed over the patients to Nurse Steve, giving her the medical details for continuity of care. Sharon took in the details, noting the medication, intravenous fluids, physiotherapy sessions and other important information. She was determined to advance today in the name of the Lord: no loss, no lack, no limitations. 

"Weldone dear" Sharon replied as she lightly rubbed her colleague's back. She loved this young woman, who is very hardworking and adorable. And for the past two years that they've known each other, they've had a very cordial relationship. 

"Thank you" Nurse Olive replied as rotated out of duty and went to change at the nurses changing room.

Sharon opened the nurses record for her shift. 

"Lord, I nurse to life today, in the name of Jesus." She prayed under her breathe. It will soon be 8:30am. She headed for Chief Begunro's bed purposefully.

"Good morning Chief Begunro"

Chief Begunro turned his head slowly towards the voice. His face was stained from streaks of tears. It was obvious he was in pains. He acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod.

"How are you feeling today sir?"

"I feel the same. I feel hopeless. I feel I am going to die from this ailment."

"You will not die Chief Begunro, in as much you have faith and you are receiving treatment. We are managing medically to the best of our ability, and optimally. So, if you cooperate with us, and you don't lose hope, you will be well again."

"That is the problem.... I'm hopeless."

"Don't lose hope Chief, we've had people with your medical condition that are living well with their medications. The analgesics are not very effective because your body has a high level of tolerance to them due to the large amount of alcohol you have been taking for quite a long time, hence they are not effective. But not to worry, God is in charge. We will do our best to care, but one thing I want you to know is that God heals. And Jesus said by His stripes, we are healed."

"Amen. I am healed ooooo, I am healed." Chief Begunro said as he turned on his side.

"So, I will like to ask you sir, do you want to continue treatment in the hospital or be taken home by your family?"

"Home ke. No o, I will be healed in this hospital, and I will return home healthy. I am not leaving to go anywhere." Chief Begunro replied, determination in his voice.

"So, you would not consent to  Discharge Against Medical Advice?"

"Never. Until my doctor says I am fit to go home, I am not going anywhere." Chief Begunro affirmed.

"Good. I will come and give you your morning meditation after you've had breakfast, and that should be before 10am. Your doctor will be coming around by 9am to review you." Sharon said, gave a reassuring smile as she went to check on the other patients.

Doctor Ike walked into the unit. He was in his mid forties with his hair already turning grey at the temples. His wealth of experience and empathetic administration of his service has earned him respect in the hospital. 

"Hello Nurse Steve" 

"Hi Doctor Ike"

" How's your family?"

"Good, good. We bless God. Yours?"

"Great"

"Nurse Olive said you would be coming around this morning to sign DAMA form for Chief Begunro as requested by his family."

"Yes."

"I don't think that would be necessary anymore because Chief Begunro is not ready to leave the facility. He is willing to take treatment until he gets better. I think we need to talk with his family members so they can understand the treatment regimen, that though it may take time, he will get better.

"That's okay" Dr Ike said as he documented some things on a patients folder.

Chief Begunro's wife walked into the unit, bringing his food.

"Mrs Begunro, can I see you for a minute?"

"Yes doctor" Mrs Begunro said.

"I got to know this morning that your husband does not consent to DAMA. And I cannot sign the form without his consent. So madam, we will continue to manage your husband till he gets well."

"My fear is that after spending so much money, his health remains unchanged. That is why the family came to that conclusion" Mrs Begunro said, tears streaking down her eyes.

"Don't worry madam, we will give him our best." Doctor Ike affirmed "So, pull yourself together, and let's hope for the best." Dr Ike said as he turned back to continue his documentation.

Mrs Begunro nodded as she moved to her husband's bedside.

Sharon continued management of her patients, and there were no complications.

Until....

Discussion

1. What are the advantages of interprofessional collaboration in the health care system?

2. Is it needful to involve God in our professions?