As she walked back after handing over the documents, she noticed a partially open door to a private room. She hesitated, but peeked in and saw an elderly man trying to get out of bed. He seemed to struggle with each movement and he was alone.
Acting on instinct, Rachel rushed in. Sir, please let me help you, you might fall, she said, gently supporting him. The old man turned to look at her, frowning a little.
I just need to use the bathroom, he grumbled. I’ll come with you, I’m a nurse, she offered. I know you’re a nurse, I can tell by your uniform.
I’m not senile, he snapped. Rachel found the comment amusing. Although he was snappy, she managed a warm smile.
The man didn’t resist her assistance as she guided him to the small bathroom. While waiting outside, she couldn’t help but notice the room’s upscale interior, plush chairs, a fancy clock on the bedside table. A few minutes later, the man emerged and Rachel helped him back to his bed, making sure he settled in comfortably.
Is there anything else I can do for you, sir? She asked politely. He glanced at her, and for a moment, his expression softened. Raise the window blinds, I want to see outside, he replied.
Rachel complied, slowly lifting the blinds so sunlight illuminated the room. Outside, she could see the hospital’s small garden where some patients and visitors strolled. The old man stared silently out the window.
Rachel sensed a heaviness in his eyes. They’re lucky, he said at last. They can walk without a care in the world, while I can’t even do that simple thing.
Makes me feel worthless. His voice was quiet, weighted with sadness. Rachel felt a pang of compassion.
Sir, your worth isn’t tied to your physical strength. Each person goes through seasons in life. Times we’re strong, and times we’re weaker.
That doesn’t mean we have no value, Rachel said gently. So you’re saying I’m old, he muttered, feigning anger. I didn’t say that, those are your words, Rachel joked, smiling.
The old man fell silent again, watching people outside. A few moments later, Rachel excused herself, explaining she had more duties to attend to. Before leaving, he asked her name.
She told him, then stepped out. As she returned to the ward, she couldn’t stop thinking about the sadness in the old man’s eyes. The next day, while Rachel was walking along the hospital hallway, she spotted Emily up ahead, head down and walking slowly.
Rachel quickened her pace and caught up, instantly noticing Emily had been crying. Em, what’s wrong? Rachel asked anxiously, placing a hand on Emily’s arm. Emily took a shaky breath and replied, I was assigned to Mr. Hamilton this morning.
Her voice trembled. Did he scold you? Did he hurt you? Rachel asked, alarmed. Emily wiped her tears.
He cursed me out, Rachel. He called me horrible names. My own parents never speak to me like that.
Who does he think he is? Emily’s words were thick with anger and hurt. Why would he do that? Rachel asked in dismay. I served him his breakfast, and he shouted that his milk was too cold, as if I purposely gave him cold milk.
Then he just started swearing at me in front of other nurses. Emily shook her head, still shaken by the encounter. Rachel could only sigh, heart aching for her friend.
He treated me like I was worthless. I’m a professional nurse, but he acted like I was his personal slave, Emily said bitterly. Rachel didn’t know how to comfort Emily.
Clearly, it wasn’t easy brushing off such disrespect, especially for someone like Emily, who took pride in her profession. Rachel’s fear of Mr. Hamilton deepened. If he could do that to someone as bold and outspoken as Emily, she dreaded what it might be like if she ended up assigned to him.
Yet she pressed on with her routine, reminding herself nursing was more than a job. It was a calling. She might have anxieties, but patients needed care no matter their disposition.
One afternoon, Rachel was in the cafeteria sipping cold water from her tumbler when her cell phone rang. Seeing her mum’s name, she answered right away. Hi mum, she greeted cheerfully, but her mother’s reply was laced with worry.
Rachel, I hate to bother you again, but my prescription just ran out and I’m feeling sick, her mother admitted softly. Rachel sighed in empathy. Mum, you should have told me sooner, don’t ever hesitate, she said.
Her mother fell silent a moment, then replied. I feel guilty asking for money so often, I know you’re working so hard, and you’re the only one we rely on. Rachel’s heart tightened.
She remembered how her mother and father had sacrificed so much for her to become a nurse, how her father passed away, leaving them all behind. Mum, please don’t feel bad, where would I be if not for you and dad? You two sacrificed a lot for me to finish school. When dad passed I promised him I’d look after you and my siblings, so please don’t say that, Rachel said softly.
Thank you honey, I’m so lucky to have a daughter like you, her mother replied, voice trembling. I’ll send some money first thing tomorrow, please buy your medicine right away, Rachel said, blinking back tears. Okay honey, take care, her mother added, before hanging up.
Rachel stared at her hands, the same hands that cared for countless patients every day, and yet were always struggling to earn enough to support her entire family. She never complained, but exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders. Being the sole provider meant there was no room to falter or break down.
One morning, when Rachel and Emily arrived at the hospital, everyone seemed busy. Calls echoed from the intercom, staff hurried about, and the smell of antiseptics filled the air. As they headed to their ward station, another nurse, Leah, approached.
Leah was one of the senior nurses. Rachel, Ms. Carter is asking for you in her office on the fourth floor, Leah said. Ms. Carter was the head nurse, and Tiffany’s aunt.
Why? Rachel asked. I’m not sure, she just said go see her immediately, Leah answered. Rachel swallowed, exchanging a glance with Emily.
Once Leah left, Emily turned to Rachel, eyes full of concern. Uh-oh, I bet it’s about assigning you to Mr. Hamilton, that’s exactly what happened to me before. Ms. Carter called me in, and the next thing I knew, I was his nurse, Emily whispered.
A rush of dread surged through Rachel, she shook her head, trying to calm herself. That can’t be it, we’re already short-staffed on our ward, so it’d be weird to pull me away, maybe she wants to talk about something else, Rachel said, though she felt her chest tighten. She took one slow breath after another, as she walked to the elevator, and rode it to the head nurse’s office.
She prayed silently that she wasn’t being reassigned to Mr. Hamilton, but with each step closer, her anxiety rose. She arrived at Ms. Carter’s door, and drew a deep breath, before gently knocking. Come in, came Ms. Carter’s voice, Rachel entered, heart pounding.
Ms. Carter sat behind the desk, flipping through a file, she looked up and went straight to the point. I’m transferring you, starting now, you’re Mr. Hamilton’s nurse, her tone was final. Rachel froze, momentarily, speechless.
Mom, could I request someone else? Remember what happened to Emily and all the other nurses? I’m scared, I’ve heard so many stories about him, I’m not sure I can handle it. Rachel confessed, her voice trembling. It doesn’t matter, Mr. Hamilton specifically asked for you to be his nurse while he’s here.
There’s no alternative, Ms. Carter said plainly. Rachel’s eyes widened in disbelief. Me? But we’ve never really met, she stammered.
I don’t know how he found out about you, but he was very clear, you’re the one he wants, and that’s that, now go, Ms. Carter said, handing over Mr. Hamilton’s medical chart. Feeling the weight of her fate, Rachel took the file and flipped it open. She learned that Mr. Hamilton was 76 years old and had stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
He had symptoms like severe abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, and loss of appetite. He had undergone chemotherapy that was no longer effective, and he was in the hospital for palliative care. He’d refused any aggressive treatments because his body no longer tolerated them.