On a fateful Monday morning, I saw something that went on to stay with me till this day. I went to the hospital to visit a friend who was hospitalized. I got the news of his hospitalization the previous day, and the next day, I rushed down to the hospital.
As I entered the ward my friend was admitted in, I noticed a woman who was unconscious and on oxygen. I observed that she was breathing with some difficulty. Her loved ones were with her, looking obviously sad. They hoped that by some miracle she would wake up. I couldn't help but feel for them. I could only imagine what they were passing through in that moment.
Next thing, I observed that she wasn't really breathing anymore. The health professional around also noticed and I could see the panic in his face. I observed as the woman's body began to stiffen. Then it hit me, this woman is dying right in front me. The health professional immediately checked her vitals and I guess he got the confirmation that indeed they were losing her. Her body was cold, as confirmed by the health worker. He immediately commenced CPR in an attempt to revive the woman.
At this point, her family members watched in horror and despair. It was as if they couldn't believe what was going on. The health worker pressed on her chest continuously in a desperate attempt at resuscitation until he felt it wasn't working. He checked his watched and that was when he concluded that she was dead. Loud cries erupted. Her family members were inconsolable as they cried.
It was my first time seeing someone die just in front of me. I wished I could unsee it but I couldn't. It was an experience that shook me back then. I felt sad for the grieving family. It's never easy to lose a loved one.
That experience made me realize how fickle life is. One moment someone is alive, and the next moment that person is gone forever. My mind randomly goes back to that moment sometimes. It serves as a constant reminder to me of some things. It was a constant reminder to appreciate every moment of life. I realized that every moment we take in breath is a win, because all that can go away in just a second. All it takes is a second for things to flip and you could no long see someone again forever.
It is important to make memories, good ones, with the people dear to us, because all we have is limited time. I learned this lesson back then and ever since, my view about life changed.
On one hand, I wished I never experienced that moment, but on the other hand, it shaped the way I view and approach life today. At the end of the day, we just have to make every minute count by doing the things we love, making an impact, giving love and receiving it back, and making memories. These are the things that make life worth living. More importantly, these are the things that make it bearable when we lose the ones dear to us.
Isn’t there an orientation to let you guys know these things are going to be a very normal thing at the hospital? Or no amount of orientation can prepare you for that as a healt worker?🥹
As a health worker, we get told about these things, but no amount of lecture prepares you for your first time
Makes sense