It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a. m., when an elderly
gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.
He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over
an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at
his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would
evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the
needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I
asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he
was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to
the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there
for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked I
asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew
who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even
though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me,
but I still know who she is."
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and
thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."
