Today was one of the hardest days I can remember.
It was a half day at the clinic, so the Week 1 ward team went for a few hours in the morning to finish last minute tasks - dressing changes, administering medications, walking patients, etc. My morning was busy, but I had tied up all loose ends by lunch.
Unfortunately, my patients could not be discharged today so I had to say adios to them, not the other way around. Two of my ladies were in the same room, so I managed to communicate in broken Spanish that I would heading back home but another fabulous CAMTA nurse would be there for the afternoon. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down their faces, and their families suddenly rushed forward and embraced me like a friend.
I could barely keep my composure until I made it to the staff room. I just cried and cried. The only other time that I have felt such saddness is when I left home for TWU in BC after spending Thanksgiving with my family. That feeling of dread, of heaviness, was my sign that going to school in BC was not right. In this case, this feeling confirms that I need to come back here. Leaving tomorrow does not mean that I`ll never return. Quito and I are not over yet!
This has been the best week of my life. Between patient care and making friends, I could not have wished for a better experience. Unfortunately, I need to jump back into a regular routine once again. However, I am more inspired and driven to make something of my career than ever before.
I suppose this is my final blog entry while in Quito... I tried to write as much as possible, but sometimes words cannot simply explain the moments in my day. I am sure I`ll post more stories as they come to mind once I am settled in with normal life
For now, adios and see you at home!
Danielle
It was a half day at the clinic, so the Week 1 ward team went for a few hours in the morning to finish last minute tasks - dressing changes, administering medications, walking patients, etc. My morning was busy, but I had tied up all loose ends by lunch.
Unfortunately, my patients could not be discharged today so I had to say adios to them, not the other way around. Two of my ladies were in the same room, so I managed to communicate in broken Spanish that I would heading back home but another fabulous CAMTA nurse would be there for the afternoon. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down their faces, and their families suddenly rushed forward and embraced me like a friend.
I could barely keep my composure until I made it to the staff room. I just cried and cried. The only other time that I have felt such saddness is when I left home for TWU in BC after spending Thanksgiving with my family. That feeling of dread, of heaviness, was my sign that going to school in BC was not right. In this case, this feeling confirms that I need to come back here. Leaving tomorrow does not mean that I`ll never return. Quito and I are not over yet!
This has been the best week of my life. Between patient care and making friends, I could not have wished for a better experience. Unfortunately, I need to jump back into a regular routine once again. However, I am more inspired and driven to make something of my career than ever before.
I suppose this is my final blog entry while in Quito... I tried to write as much as possible, but sometimes words cannot simply explain the moments in my day. I am sure I`ll post more stories as they come to mind once I am settled in with normal life
For now, adios and see you at home!
Danielle
beautiful Danielle!
ReplyDelete