Sweetness

On Monday, I noticed a familiar name on the schedule, in my own room. I added up the age. It took me a while to put it in context, and it came only slowly, probably, perhaps, maybe. Surgeon got ahead of schedule, so I took the delay to check and gather my memories. Mike the pre-op nurse preempted my ponderings,

"Your last patient used to be a nursing instructor, didja know her?"

"Yes, I knew it, I'd pretty much worked it out. She must've been on the verge of retirement then."

Once I saw her, I thoroughly remembered her. Although not precisely what classes or clinicals I had from her. Still, she said she remembered me as well, and we hugged and chatted, and I got to tell her she'd made a difference. Maybe we exaggerated a little for each other, but kindness doesn't mind at all. I do remember her humor and gentleness. I'm very happy that her procedure qualified as ditzel. Needed doing, but a very small problem and solution, with a very good surgeon.

She impressed the recovery room nurse, too.

So much of that time is a blur of anxiety and sleep deprivation. To have a moment recalled of a certain sweetness warmed my remembrance.

Then, I covered a requested shift today, and took yesterday off - rather than get called off. So, that worked out pretty well.