I Am a Nurse Photo Gallery by Fay Stout at pbase.com

I Am a Nurse

Many years ago when I was four years old I had a dream of becoming a nurse.
I would bandage my dollies and my dog and had a little cape, cap and a medical bag which held the tools of my trade...
a stethoscope, a syringe and needle (make-believe of course), candy "pills", bandaids and gauze.
I never waivered from my dream, and now, after being a nurse for forty-five years, I have stories to tell, and I would like to share them with you.

As a critical care nurse, my career has made me the person I am today. In those forty-five years, I have faced life and death on a daily basis.
Through the interactions with my patients and their families I have so many beautiful as well as sad memories.
I have met many wonderful people along the way... those I have cared for and those who I have worked with.
I venture to say that nearly every person's life will be touched by a nurse in some way.

I will share these stories but will not violate anyone's privacy.
I will celebrate these patient's lives so that you and I can learn from them and I celebrate the nurses who work tirelessly all over the world
to help alleviate suffering, provide healing and loving care in a patient and family's time of need.

***Please click on each individual photo to read any comments on that particular story.
I look forward to your comments and appreciate you taking the time to visit this site!

pages 1 2 3 4 5 ALL

"I love you Daddy..."

My morning started as do all the other work mornings... arrive at 05:40 AM, clock in, and prepare for report, but this morning was different. As I walked in the intensive care unit, the room at the far end of the nurses' station was lit up with a glaring bright light for this time of day. A group of our best doctors were huddled outside of the glass doors to the room. There was a palpable tension in the unit as staff scurried about. They were speaking in hushed tones so as to not awaken the other patients. "This is your patient today" someone said and hurried me to the room to take a bedside report as the nurse could not leave the room at this time.

The sign on the door read "ISOLATION" and I put on my protective gear... an impervious blue plastic gown, mask, goggles, disposable gloves and entered the room. One quick look around and I knew this patient was in serious trouble. The monitor showed a blood pressure of 62/34, heart rate 156. The patient was on a ventilator. The urine catheter had only drops of dark urine in the collection bag, and connected to the patient were 5 different IV's connected to pumps as well as a Swan Ganz catheter (to measure cardiac outputs and pulmonary artery pressures) and an arterial line for continuous blood pressure measurements.

He was a large man... well over 250 pounds. His face was bloated. He was unresponsive. I watched his chest movement in response to the ventilator. IV fluids ran rapidly in hopes of improving his blood pressure. Vasopressors (drugs to raise the blood pressure) infused at maximum rates, but to no avail. And then the nurse lifted the sheets so I could see beneath. The diagnosis: necrotizing fasciitis... an infection of flesh eating bacteria. I had never before seen this, but I had read about it. The skin was literally being eaten away from minute to minute, hour to hour and there on his side, chest and abdomen was skin peeling away and oozing body fluid in copious amounts. There was padding beneath the patient to try to absorb it, but it was not enough. His entire body was bloated and as quickly as we infused the fluids, it was like they were coming right back out. The skin was opening down towards the hip.

The cause of this infection .. unknown. There was talk of a possible spider bite to his back. The onset of these symptoms were rapid, progressing to septic shock. His kidneys had shut down. In spite of antibiotics and aggressive drug therapy, nothing was working. His only chance for survival was kidney dialysis in addition to his present care. At the time, our hospital did not offer this. The doctors spoke with his wife. It was his only chance. Without it he would surely die, and even with it he would more than likely die, but it was the only thing left to try. The decision was made... call the helicopter for transport to a hospital that could provide a higher level of care and hope that he survived long enough to make it there.

But first... his wife wanted his daughter to be allowed to see him. She was ll years old. What a horrible way for a little girl to remember her daddy, but mom felt she needed to see him and we agreed. I asked her to prepare her first... to understand that he would not be able to talk to her, and that there were many machines and noises/alarms that might go off in the room. And also to prepare her for the fact that those of us in close contact would be dressed in special gowns, gloves, masks, and "glasses". She understood and did as we asked. I covered him with a fresh white sheet and blanket. I did not want her to see the horror beneath those covers.

When she brought her in the room, I was there with the family practice physician who I had never before worked with. He was new and very attentive to the patient. As the little girl came in with mom, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. (I was having a flash-back to being at the bedside of my dad before he died. I was 13 years old and never thought my dad would ever die and leave me). I hung another IV.

The doctor approached the little girl and bent down next to her and took her hand in his. His approach was very gentle, loving and protective. I could feel the tears on my cheeks beneath my mask. I looked at mom and she met my gaze.

In a very soft voice he told the little girl the most important things she needed to hear at a time like this... "Your daddy is very, very sick. All of the doctors and nurses are working very hard to try to make him better." And then he paused, to give her time to think about what he had said. And then he told her... "Your daddy loves you very much!" She stood at the bedside with her hand in his. The helicopter would be here in minutes, and mom told her it was time to go. Before leaving, in a little quivering voice I heard her say... "I love you Daddy".

As we assisted the flight nurses to prepare him for transport, I marveled at how these nurses could handle the most severe situations with such grace, dexterity, and sensitivity. They are called on at all hours of day and night to transfer patients to trauma centers in the midst of crisis. These nurses are truly my heros. It would take longer to prepare him for the flight than the flight itself. Before they leave, the doctors again prepare the family for the fact that due to his critical condition, he may not even survive the flight and they verbalize understanding of this but it is his only chance.

We heard the helicopter lift off from the helipad. In seven minutes he would arrive at the hospital and the staff there would be awaiting his arrival and would prepare for emergency dialysis.

And then we got the call... It was one of the nurses from the helicopter to tell us that shortly after lift off, his heart stopped beating and they did CPR until they arrived at the hospital. There was nothing more to be done and he thanked us for all of our help.

I will never forget this case and I was thankful that this little girl had the chance to say "I love you Daddy". I will always remember that doctor who handled this situation in a most caring and loving way.

Happy Nurse's Day... May 6, 2009

Today is Nurse's Day.

I worked today and received some token goodies from work. I came home to find a letter in the mail from our Chief Nursing Officer thanking us all for our hard work and dedication. She ended the letter with this quote and I felt it was particularly appropriate to share with you.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo F. Buscaglia 1924-1998

To all of the nurses around the world... I applaud what you do and honor you on this, our special day.

You make the world a better place and I urge you all to speak out in honor of nurses everywhere. Stand tall, and be proud of what you do.

I celebrate you all!

The Sky's the Limit

Several years ago I was the preceptor for a nurse about to graduate. Everyone kept asking him what type of nursing he wanted to do, but he was not quite sure.

He was offered an internship to specialize in neonatal nursing and decided to give it a go.

He called me a couple months later and was so excited about his new career and loved working with those tiny babies,

but it was then that he told me what he really wanted to do was be a flight nurse and transport critically ill babies by helicopter to a higher level of care.

Months passed. One day when I opened my mail there was another freebie nursing magazine.

As I flipped through the pages of ads looking for nurses, there was a double page spread showing a helicopter with all the pilots and flight nurses... and to my delight.... there he was just as proud as could be.

Neonatal flight nurse! He had achieved his dream. He reached for the sky. The sky was the limit! He had attained his goal!

A Beacon to Guide Us...

When I was young and graduating from nursing school, I developed an interest in the hospital ship, the S.S.Hope that traveled the world to offer medical and surgical assistance to people in need. It was a dream to travel with this ship and render care. But I was young. Marriage and family got in the way of that dream. I had the good fortune of having a director of nurses in my first job who did indeed travel with that ship. She has since died, and I am so very sorry that I did not take the time to speak with her at length about her experiences. The ship is no longer in service.

Fast forward 42 years. In 2008 I was honored to receive Caregiver of the Year at Lakepointe Medical Center and in recognition of this great honor, the Tenet Corporation wanted to donate to a charity of my choosing. When my supervisor called to share this with me, I did not hesitate and told her I very much would want that to go to the organization called "Doctors Without Borders", also known as M�decin Sans Fronti�res or MSF. I like to think of it as being called Doctors and Nurses Without Borders! This organization was begun in December 1971 in Paris. MSF provides assistance to victims of disasters regardless of religion, politics, race or creed and are often found in war torn areas or areas of natural disasters. These volunteers not only risk their own lives to violence connected with war but also to the multitude of illnesses they are there to treat.

In 1999 the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and I quote the Nobel Peace Prize Committee when they said: "The peace Alfred Nobel was thinking of when he established the prize was a peace that is rooted in people's hearts and minds. By showing each victim a human face, by showing respect for his or her human dignity, the fearless and selfless aid worker creates hope for peace..."

It has now been a little over a year since that donation was made in my name. During that period of time I have followed the activities of MSF on the internet and have recently read several books about this. The first I read was, "Healing Our World" by David Morley and "Six Months in Sudan" by Dr. James Maskalyk. These books touched me deeply. I am about to begin reading "Hope in Hell" by Dan Bortolotti.

The volunteers who do this are truly my heros. They many times put themselves in potential danger to help care for so many human beings in all parts of the world who are destitute. They are exposed to a myriad of diseases, many of which are unknown to us in this country. They are a beacon in the darkest of night.

Dr. James Maskalyk said it well in sharing his experiences in hopes that we will better understand that...

"it's not about trying to reconcile two different worlds, it's about understanding that there's only one."

I am passionate about this organization and the challenging work that it does. I have signed up to give a monthly donation to support the cause. Would I like to be a part of this organization? Yes, most definitely however, I am not sure that I would have the stamina or be brave enough to do this. It is extremely hard work with long hours in difficult living situations. My dream would be to photograph these people in action to let the world know that MSF supports the humanitarian effort for all people throughout the world.

Please... if you have an interest in this organization, you may learn more at:

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/index_alt.cfm

For those of you who may not be in the medical field, one third of the volunteers are non-medical. It truly takes a team to make this work. Follow your heart and your passion. Help that beacon in the night to shine brightly for human beings all over the world in whatever way you can!

Taking Care of One of Our Own

Let me tell you about a nurse I worked with a number of years ago. (I will call her Judy... not her real name.)

We had worked together for several years. She worked nights and I worked days. Judy was one of those people who always liked to be busy. She lived with her husband and three daughters, loved to do crafts, and had a strong background in cardiac nursing. Several times a year she would teach tele techs and new nurses a course on cardiac anatomy and physiology and cardiac arrhythmias. She was at her best when doing this. Her enthusiasm was contagious. And we all learned from Judy.

And then one day she came to us and literally "dropped a bomb". She had cancer... actually, many years ago she had cancer and thought she had it beat. About the same time she learned of this tumor, her husband wanted a divorce. Within a month's time she was separated, her husband had moved out and she and her daughters prepared to face the future together.

Judy was feeling abandoned, frightened and was fighting for her life. But she was a very strong woman. After the initial tears and anger, she developed an unbelievable strength. She was going to fight this with all the strength she had, and all of us on the staff vowed to help her in any way we could.

She put her financial affairs in order and we all helped her move into a smaller home. It was in the heat of a Texas summer. We scrubbed floors, cleaned toilets, moved all of her belongings and helped to get her settled.

She started on an aggressive course of chemotherapy and ended up getting a bone marrow transplant. During her period of chemo, she rarely missed a day of work. At one point her cardiac ejection fraction had dropped dramatically and she would drag herself to work. By the time she got from her car to the unit, she would be very short of breath. We would put her in a recliner until her breathing improved and would cover her patients until she felt better. But she needed to work. She needed her insurance and she had three girls who had plans to go to college and she was determined to see them graduate.

We took her back and forth to doctors' appointments and sat with her when she was too weak or too nauseated to function. In spite of this, she had such a positive and hopeful attitude.

And so... Judy survived long enough to see those girls graduate and even got to see her first grandbaby born. She moved from Texas to be closer to her grandbaby. About a year later Judy died.

I miss her. I think of her often, and remember her brave and positive attitude. I also remember all the nurses who helped support her at such a difficult time in her life. We were like a family... there for each other through the good times and the bad... taking care of one of our own.

A Special Gift...

I was 4 years old when I accidently spilled a cup of scalding hot coffee on my back as I was trying to get up on a chair at the breakfast table.

I have brief remembrances of the episode. Our closest hospital was about 25 miles away and our family doctor "Dr. Bill" was called and came to the house.

My mother chose to care for me at home with the help of Dr. Bill and she must have done an excellent job as there were no problems of infection and over a period of time I healed.

I do remember medicine in a cobalt blue bottle that she would put on my back and she would burn the dressings in the fireplace.

I remember Dr. Bill as a large man (but then when you are 4 years old, I suppose everyone looks large) and I remember him as being very kind.

When I was feeling better, Dr. Bill made a very special housecall and carried a large cardboard box in his arms.

He set it on the floor and said it was for me!

You cannot imagine the excitement when I opened the box to find a beautiful soft furry rabbit!

My father was a carpenter and set to work building a rabbit hutch that became home to my rabbit and a companion guinea pig.

The magic of the moment... receiving that rabbit from Dr. Bill, has stayed with me through the years. The practice of medicine has changed a great deal since then.

Rarely will you find a doctor making a housecall and rarely will you find such a personal gift of caring and affection to say... "I care".

Not just another pretty face...

The Gallup 2009 annual Honesty and Ethics of Professions poll has found that nurses are at the top of a list of 22 professions for being considered to have the highest of ethical standards (83% of Americans polled).

Next in line were druggists/pharmacists (66% rating), medical doctors (65%), police officers (63%), and engineers (62%).

Does that mean that all nurses are ethical?... no, of course not.

Nor does it mean that people in professions ranked lower are unethical.

This is a perception of Americans polled. To read more, go to...

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1654/Honesty-Ethics-Professions.aspx

Since 1999, nurses have been at the top of the list of professions

except for 2001 when firefighters topped the list after Sept. ll.

As I write this today... there is a trial going on in Texas about a nurse whistle-blower.

I will not go into this any further as I do not know all the details, but let me say this... as nurses, we ARE your advocates.

We have a moral obligation to protect you in every way possible as we care for you.

This is what I was taught and this is what I believe.

Of course, there is a chain of command and most hospitals have ethics committees and protocols in place.

It will be a sad day when nurses cannot speak out with concern for patient safety because they fear losing their jobs.

The outcome of this trial will be big... for nurses and for the patients they serve.

Update...

February 11, 2010... Anne Mitchell RN was found NOT GUILTY for harrassment of the doctor.

To read more about this case... http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/us/12nurses.html

I honor you for speaking out on behalf of the safety of patients and urge ALL nurses to do what is right and what is ethical.

Update as reported in the Dallas Morning News, November 8, 2011...

"A West Texas doctor who pleaded guilty Monday to retaliating against two nurses for reporting him to state medical regulators will spend two months in jail and be on probation for five years.

Prosecutor David Glickler said Dr. Rolando G. Arafiles Jr., 59, must also surrender his medical license."

07-MAY-2010

Happy Nurses' Week 2010

Lucy Invited to Celebration!

It all started with a call from my supervisor.

In celebration of Nurses' Week, there would be displays that would include nursing memorabilia as well as related hobbies

and she made a request that I bring my "special" friend Lucy to join us. And that's when the fun began...

When I told Lucy she needed to go to the hospital, she was SO very frightened.

She was actually SPEECHLESS!

She had never been to a hospital before, but I explained to her that she was invited to participate in our celebration

and that she would wear my old nursing cape that I wore when I was a nursing student (my... how times have changed!)

I could tell she was nervous on the way to the hospital.

We pulled up to valet parking and were met by Glen.

I told him that my friend was unable to walk and would it be possible for him to get her a wheelchair?

Without hesitating he took off and returned with a wheelchair, but was apologetic because it did not have foot supports but I advised him that wasn't necessary.

You should have seen his face when he opened the passenger side door and met Lucy for the first time.

Not wanting to alarm him any further, I introduced him to Lucy and explained that I was an ICU nurse

(were his inner thoughts... please don't let me need this nurse's services?) but being a good sport he played along like everything was normal!

He ever so gently lifted Lucy to the wheelchair and made sure she did not lose her shoes.

I thanked him profusely and he drove off with my car with a big smile on his face. (It was not 'til later that I found out he was new to this job.)

Since I could not find my old nursing cap, I quickly made one out of paper and we proceeded to the inservice room.

As I wheeled her down the hall, we got some funny stares from passersby and I wondered what they might be thinking.

We arrived to find our director of nurses talking with a group of staff.

When she turned our way, she let out a squeal and then broke out in laughter.

Poor Lucy... she must have been overwhelmed with all the attention.

Cell phones started clicking as everyone wanted a picture of the new celebrity, and from what I understand,

this continued through the day as Lucy greeted visitors and staff to the displays of nursing memorabilia.

Everyone wanted their photo with Lucy and one of the male staff even gave her a little kiss on the cheek (and yes... it was caught on film... or should I say, on pixels).

As if that was not enough fun, at the end of the day, my supervisor decided to play a little trick on me.

She and the staff placed Lucy on the toilet in our unit.

I was in a hurry to make a bathroom run and then help another nurse turn a patient.

I headed to the bathroom, opened the door and in shock realized someone was on the toilet and had not locked the door.

I let out a yell and then realized it was Lucy!

From around the corner came the staff and my supervisor laughing and congratulating themselves on a job well done.

As a final gesture after returning home, Lucy wrote a thank-you note to my supervisor thanking her for the invitation and for the royal welcome to the hospital.

She also thanked her for helping her to the bathroom because she was "too embarrassed to ask".

Another thank-you to Glen for his kind assistance.

Humor is a good thing in the workplace and I'm sure that Lucy will be fondly remembered for quite some time!

Merry Christmas

It was Christmas and we had a number of long-term patients in our ICU. This was sometime in the 1970's.

Years ago we did not have longterm acute care facilities, and we kept our patients in the ICU for a longer period of time.

I also think the staffing was better back then and we definitely had less paperwork than we do today.

At the time, I was working 8 hour shifts in the evening which left time at home during the day when my children were young. I loved to sew little dresses and skirts for them and always had bits of leftover fabric.

I decided it would be nice to make Christmas stockings for all of our patients to hang on their IV poles, and I got busy sewing. I purchased white felt for the top of each stocking and wrote their name in glittery letters. All the nurses in the unit wrapped up simple little surprises... a fragrant bar of soap, powder, a little book, a tiny sample bottle of perfume, etc.

We made up some extra stockings if there should be new admissions.

When I look back, it amazes me that we had the time to do this.

Perhaps we had more energy working 8 hour shifts as opposed to 12 hour shifts.

We definitely got to know our patients better as we had more time to spend with them and we felt good to be able to give them this little surprise on Christmas day.

Best recipes... best friends...

A special present arrived in the mail this Christmas... a cookbook from a friend who I had not heard from for many years.

When I saw the return address, I was ecstatic and ripped into the package to find a cookbook from the hospital where I spent my first 22 years in nursing and a photo of my friend with her family and now, her grandchildren!

It was she, who was responsible for organizing the production of this cookbook of recipes from the present ICU staff.

A few names I still remembered but many were new.

After moving to Texas, we lost touch as our lives progressed. She was busy raising her family and life was hectic.

There was the occasional Christmas card.

When I visited "back East", I would sometimes stop in at the hospital to visit, but there were fewer people working who I knew from years ago.

The gift of this cookbook brought back memories of the past. I called to thank her and of course... she was working.

I had a nice chat with her husband and said I would call the next day.

How good it was to hear her voice and that wonderful laugh.

It was like the years had melted away and we were picking up from where we left off.

We both loved to cook, shop at flea markets and take photos.

I will always remember those impromptu lunches in the backyard by the brook eating grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a little glass of white wine!

So in honor of my dear friend, Onda... I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

May we never again lose touch, and may we build new memories as we grow old and continue to exchange recipes "from the heart".

"KABOOM"

There are times when our professional co-workers are incapacitated and hospitalized due to illness or injury.

Such was the case recently, and sometimes we like to do or say crazy things to bring a smile and a chuckle.

So... this was the e-mail I recently sent to my constipated friend.

It became even funnier when his wife read it and did not realize it was a spoof!

News Flash:

THE CITY TIMES

December 31, 2010

It was late Friday night when security at the local hospital was alerted to strong smells of gas emitting from the second floor.

Fearing a gas leak, the building was cordoned off and Atmos Energy, the local police and fire departments were summoned.

A strict �no smoking� policy went into effect.

As emergency preparations were underway, the citizens of this fine city were totally unaware of the danger as they prepared to party and ring in the New Year.

Inside the hospital, the esteemed Dr. George lay in bed, nursing a severe foot injury while preparing to toast the New Year with his lovely bride, Shawna. He sipped a full glass of Miralax as they reminisced about their adventures in 2010.

Outside, lights flashed from the patrol cars and the fire engines roared into the parking lot when suddenly...

there was a deafening �KABOOM!�

The walls shook and the blast was so loud that it set off the tornado sirens to alert the city of an imminent disaster and to take cover!

Nurses ran... toilet paper flew, and the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard experienced the highest waves ever seen in this region causing boats to capsize.

The internet was flooded with e-mails to loved ones and tweets proclaimed a disaster in progress.

In spite of the seriousness of this event, we are pleased to report that no one was injured, the hospital did not sustain any damage, and we all celebrated a New Year like no other!

Happy New Year 2011

5-Star Patient Satisfaction Celebration

In celebration of our 5-Star standing in patient satisfaction, our hospital made a fun video starring... the staff.

We are proud to be supported by an administration that holds patient satisfaction crucial to our success in delivering medical care and it is all of the staff that are responsible for this great honor.

It takes the kindness, caring, and going-the-extra-mile by every employee to make our patients understand that their satisfaction is our prime concern as we care for them.

So here are the great people I work with, who work so hard to make that happen...

"Yours truly" will be found toward the end of the video
in black scrubs and dark glasses, dancing down the hall waving a bedpan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffvS8ZFBmhQ&feature=related

Enjoy the video!

(A special thank you to my friend and co-worker, Jack Holmes for the artwork!)

pages 1 2 3 4 5 ALL

carol j. phipps		04-Sep-2018 02:20
Esquisite gallery of amazing photos and dynamic, rich, beautiful, touching stories. Thanks for sharing Fay. Vote

barbarajoy		14-Sep-2014 11:29
This is a truly beautiful story and pictures, Fay! I have enjoyed it so much and will return to read again .... Each individual story is special and you tell it with tenderness and professionalism. Kind regards, Barbara

Fabienne		17-Aug-2014 20:01
C'est une bien jolie série qui nous raconte en image l'histoire d'une vie. C'est une excellente idée réalisée avec beaucoup de talent.

Selina		20-Jul-2013 03:27
;') We love Nurses and all medical staff. You are appreciated.

Fay Stout		24-May-2013 22:12
Thanks rebeeKah for your kind coments but I do need to comment on your comment as to... "if he cares so little about his health, why should I?" As a nurse... I cared for everyone the same. It made no difference if the person was homeless and picked up off the street or if the patient was on the board of trustees of the hospital. All human beings deserve dignity and the best of care even though we may not share their beliefs, approve of their choices in life, or whatever may make them stand out from the crowd. Until we have walked in that other person's shoes, we have no idea what they have been through in their life... and believe me, I have heard a lot of life stories throughout the years. It was not until I retired that I spoke out on many issues that I personally feel deeply about in respect to my patients who may well have had different beliefs. It is so important to be non-judgemental in the care of others. I was there for them in every way possible. It was quite simply... the right thing to do. I respected them as human beings who needed help at a difficult time in their lives, and I was there for them.

Rebekah		24-May-2013 15:44
Oh,yeah.... You are a much better person than I. When I think of health nowadays I wonder why people don't take better care of themselves with all the latest and greatest available in the way of prevention and information?! I had an obese man on one of my flights who passed out and as the lead flight attendant I had to garner the help of a reluctant doctor who complained all the while about how inadequate our on board first aid kit was including the stethoscope. I did not know any better so I sympathized with him When we got the guy back and communicating he said he had been out on the hot golf course all day drinking. He obviously abused his health way before that day. If he cares so little about his health why should I?

Rebekah		24-May-2013 15:31
Fay, I have yet to find the "Don't Mess With Texas" part of your site that I came here for because I had to click on the youthful photo of you in your nurse uniform. Very nice job on these online pages! For a brief time I worked at "Flying Nurses" and arranged their housing accommodations so their apartments would be furnished and ready to move in when they flew to their next assignment. Nice work here and the photography is genius.

Tony Dalton		02-Jul-2012 16:53
Fay, I usually read any personal message from the PBase contributor prior to viewing their galleries. I read your profile message and I was very impressed and thought to myself how proud people I know (family members included) would be to read your message of pride in the nursing profession. When I clicked on this page I was overwhelmed. I have viewed and commented on numerous PBase presentations but I must say this is one of the most impressive. You have taken the PBase opportunity to a new level with your message of pride, hope and empathy with your words and your spectacular photos. No doubt your patients over the years were very well served. Very well done! All the best. Tony

Bernard Bosmans		14-Mar-2012 01:12
Missed this impressive gallery in my first visit, I'm overwhelmed by this beautiful presentation, imbued with loving care and medical expertise and touching words and photo's. Stayed in this gallery for quite a while, taken it all in, a moving experience. A big hug from me and many thanks Fay for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us at PBase, never been so emotionally affected in all those years on this site. All the best to you and your family.

Debbie M.		10-Feb-2012 14:29
Fay-you have been an example of love,patience,and the hands of God on earth in your care. I love the attachment of the photos with your words, wanted to make sure you know how very proud I am to be a nurse and to have the honor of working with you these many years. I wish you all of God's richest blessings.

janescottcumming		09-Aug-2011 03:18
An extraordinary gallery for both the photos and and the stories. I read them all and was very moved by each and every story. What a lovely tribute to a very noble profession. Terrific work here! V

Margot W		07-Jun-2011 18:21
Sometimes I may forget to add how wonderful your photographs are which you choose to go with your stories on your many subjects so I would like to add now that your photography is second to none. I am always impressed by each new page.

Your photo pal Bette		02-May-2011 20:48
Fay, I read your story for the second time today and was as impressed as I was the first time. Thank God there are people like you who care for and comfort those who are suffering and, often, facing death. Your love for people is obvious, as well as your love for photography. And do you know what else I love about you? Your terrific sense of humor that makes you a joy to be around.

chyeheng		07-Feb-2011 15:04
I am truly touched..

Fabienne		02-Feb-2011 20:53
C'est une très belle série faite avec beaucoup de talent et de fantaisies. J'ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à découvrir vos images.

Ali Majdfar		11-Jan-2011 19:49
Outstanding expressive gallery, great career in both nursing and photography! ~V

J. Scott Coile		20-Sep-2010 19:13
What a well articulated and photographed blog style gallery. A joy to rad and view Fay.

Guest		09-Jul-2010 23:08
Nursing school was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I'm so glad I did it!

H2M		14-Apr-2010 18:41
Wonderful and touching images and words which are full of humanity. Thank you for sharing! VVV

jychamberland		29-Mar-2010 15:22
Fay! thanks a lot for sharing this marvelous album. merci aussi de raconter le cheminement de votre carriere comme infirmiere que je respecte beaucoup. c'est un tres beau témoignage. take care of you.

Jean-Claude Liehn		07-Feb-2010 04:22
Strange how you get long comments (by Pbase standards). No, not so strange. Words are so important for you. A very personal approach. JC (MD)

Guest		29-Jan-2010 19:15
Beautiful story Fay! I myself work in the medical field, I'm a microbiologist (diagnostic) by profession and still working full-time. I know what it's like working in the health service and can relate to your stories as a nurse. Thanks for your kindness, skills and compassion...I'm sure you helped a lot of people in their lowest moments. Take care and God bless.

John Endres		21-Dec-2009 23:14
Fay, Yours is a great story, and well told. I have really enjoyed getting to know you in this way and appreciate both your dedication -- and the joy your work so obviously brings you. Really wonderful! John

Guest		08-Dec-2009 00:28
I enjoyed reading your testimony of your career. It's so uplifting. Although I'm not a nurse I've recently been under the care of nurses in a hospital. They provided such loving and tender care that made my stay so comfortable. I thank all nurses. Incidentally, my sister's a nurse, my sister-in-law's a nurse and my daughter-in-law's a nurse. Thank you, Fay.

Guest		15-Nov-2009 03:08
Sometime, words can capture Great Pictures, in this gallery I've seen many beautiful pictures in the words, including comments. Thanks for sharing.

Mary Shuts		13-Nov-2009 02:55
Fay, As one of your former co-workers, and one of those who ate many a peasant omelet with you, I can really appreciate all of your photos and messages. I imagine it would be possible to get that photo of "lub dub" ( in fact he was due to come to one of our meetings yesterday, but had to postpone ). I always knew you were an excellent bedside nurse, but never realized that it started in nursing school. Mary

Fay Stout		25-Oct-2009 01:42
To my guest... thank you for sharing your personal story about nursing in your family and hooray for all of you who entered this field. Nursing is changing as our technology advances. Though our physical appearance has changed as we wear scrubs in a rainbow of colors, the personal touch as we deliver care remains essentially the same as long as we remember that there is a human life depending on our care. Technology will help us deliver that care but cannot take the place of a nurse at the bedside. Good luck making a nurse's cap... Happy Halloween to you and your grandchildren and hope that someday one of them may also choose nursing as a career!

Guest		25-Oct-2009 01:21
thanks for your blog. My sister became a nurse in 1973 when I was 13, my mom became a nurse in 1988 when she was 59 (after the farm crisis and she needed an outside job for the first time in her life) and my sister-in-law just became a RN and my daughter became a RN in the 90's -- I was disappointed that my daughter didn't get to wear a cap! and she wore scrubs to her graduation -- I as so embarrassed but all the girls did. Although I see the reasoning for scrubs and no caps, I DO wish the nurses wore white so you could tell them apart from the other workers and I wish they got to wear caps for their graduation, even if it was just rented ones like the flat 'mortarboards' for regular degrees. Anyway I came across your blog because I am going as a Barbie-style nurse for Halloween (blue cape & cat-eye glasses too) and needed to figure out to make a nurse's cap since there are no patterns for those anymore and the nurse costumes for sale are all 'naughty' ones! ha ha (I am going to take my grandchildren) I am realizing that nurse history is disappearing and the internet is not doing a good job keeping photos & articles about it. Thanks again, Tabby

Gerhard Ritsema		08-Oct-2009 21:47
Thanks for sharing your great story! You are a dedicated nurse!

Fran Evans, RNC		12-Sep-2009 15:45
How wonderful to find another nurse who knew from age 4 that this is what she wanted to do. When I was four my mom used to starch and iron one of my dad's white handkerchiefs and shape it ingo a nurses' hat so that I could accompany our neighbor's physician upstairs to her appartment and assist him as he administer "a shot." I had the privilege of wiping her leg with alcohol on a cotton ball before he administered the medication. You can tell how long ago that was since this physician made a home visit. Now that I am older, I assume it must have been a B-12 shot?? I have been a nurse for 40 years and I share all of your heart felt comments. How blessed we are to have you at Lake Pointe Medical Center. Your photos are beautiful in this web page and also at the hosptial. God Bless.

Bill Ewart Jr		05-Sep-2009 11:10
Okay, that explains the 14 hour day! You should eat though dear! Wish I could send you that "steak bomb" through an email!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob Moul		01-Sep-2009 19:40
Hi Fay, what a beautiful bio. Congratulations on winning your lifelong dream. A long time ago, I recognized that it really took someone very special to be a nurse and I believe that you must be one of the best. Your family must be very proud of you.

Fay Stout		14-Aug-2009 17:16
In response to the guest who left this nice message... I thank you for taking the time to do so. As you have so very well said, we have so many expectations to meet in the care and safety of our patients. With evidence based practice we will be seeing more of the same. It is not always easy to achieve all of these goals. It has become more and more of a challenge. All the more reason for nurses and other co-workers to support each other in attaining these goals and certainly if we find we need help... we need to speak out with bold voices. We are here for our patients and want to do everything we can to provide them with the best of care in these uncertain times. You are very articulate in expressing yourself and once again, I thank you... Fay

Guest		14-Aug-2009 16:25
Fay, what a wonderful reminder of what this is all about. In today's struggle to be the best we can be even though it is with the patient in site, we loose site of the patient. We have 3 nurses check discharge instructions for accuracy, we must have 2 nurses check and sign our insulin dose, we have to get patients discharged in an hour and a half, we have to be in the patient's room when they arrive for admission, we have to smile when a person is within 3 feet of us and greet them. These are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head. Our hospital is implementing processes with the patient's safety and satisfaction in mind. I am proud to work where I work. I think most people who walk through our doors can tell they are important to us. There are days when all these little things mount on my back and I get frustrated with my imperfections, but reading your stories reminds me that this is what I want to be, A Nurse, I love people.

mart senior		04-Aug-2009 23:07
lovelly pics....v

Guest		14-Jul-2009 19:41
Ruth Smitherman It is because of nurses like you and the care you give patients, that the quality of life is so much better. Because of this people are living much longer.

Arne		10-Jul-2009 22:24
Wow! You certainly can get a grown man to cry. This is wonderful, the photos and the narrative goes together so beautiful.

Arne		10-Jul-2009 21:57
Wow! You certainly can get a grown man to cry. This is wonderful, the photos and the narrative goes together so beautiful.

Guest		09-Jul-2009 21:32
Fay, I found this gallery very moving and inspiring. You are a truly dedicated person to a wonderful profession! Voted for this Gallery. Cheers from Austin, Erik

Guest		04-Jul-2009 01:28
Excellent writing and illustration, Fay.

Dave Berry		03-Jun-2009 03:14
Fay, I love your gallery and the stories that go with it. Nursing is and always has been an honorable profession and you are an example of the best of it. Thank you for sharing your experiences and beliefs and thank you for the untold numbers of people you have helped along the way. Most people never have a chance to save lives or improve the health of others. Those of us who work in hospitals have that opportunity every day. It is special, and so are the people who do it. Dave Berry, RN, MSN Director of Surgical Services Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento - SMH Campus

Jim Stout, MD		29-May-2009 14:43
As a physician myself and the fact that we share the same last name, I thoroughly enjoyed your writings and pics. I would be proud to claim you as a distant cousin and hope that I might have some of your photo talent genetics! Marshall J. Stout, Jr., MD stoutmd@yahoo.com

Reflections by Ruth		09-May-2009 12:12
what a wonderful story of your experiences and thoughts, thanks so much for sharing them with us. This would be nice as a book :)

Bill Warren		09-May-2009 02:07
This is my first time to see this photo dairy and to read several of the entries. Unique on pBase in my experience. You share so much. Thanks Fay. Bill

Pat Shawyer		23-Apr-2009 16:48
Fay, this is a wonderful diary of your working life, I love it, you write so well ! The photos just addthe finishing touch !! Keep shooting and writing !!

Mair�ad		18-Mar-2009 22:18
Fay, I've been following this wonderful account of your work with interest. You obviously bring care and dedication and most importantly love to the patients lucky enough to come under your care. Well done in sharing your experiences with us. V

Guest		05-Mar-2009 14:51
No me canso de visitarte, hermoso.!

travelingrabbit		28-Feb-2009 11:34
Fay, this is a beautifully written album. It brings back memories of when I was an integral part of the adult cystic fibrosis team, working as a registered dietitian in a major teaching hospital in Philadelphia, PA. We knew and loved our patients, as they had frequent hospitalizations and clinic visits. There were several times that I baked a favorite cake for one of my patients, Martha, because she didn't want to eat anything during her hospitalizations. But, she loved my cakes and would eat a little bit every day! I am still very close friends with the clinical nurse practitioner from the CF team. I always admired her compassion and skill when caring for our patients. She has since moved on to work with geriatric patients, but she too loved her work on the CF team. Nurses are beautiful people!!!

bluebirdstar		22-Feb-2009 20:07
Bless you for your kindness, I know you have made a difference to those you cared for with skill and ocmpassion.

Bette Cawoski		22-Feb-2009 00:12
It is good to see how much you love what you do; you are one of the lucky ones. And we, the patients, are the beneficiaries of your kindness and caring. My Mom was hospitalized a lot over the last couple of years, and I was always so grateful when I went to see her and she spoke glowingly about the nursing care she was receiving. It was rare to hear a negative report from her. She saw the best in people and I often heard the words "favorite patient" in reference to her because of her patience and kindness.

Fay Stout		20-Feb-2009 01:42
I used Google translate to understand what Victor was saying: beautiful thoughts, doctors have similar feelings to you nurses, a physician greets you from Peru, a hug. Victor

Victor		20-Feb-2009 01:26
hermosos pensamientos, los medicos tenemos sentimientos afines a Uds las enfermeras, te saluda un medico del Peru, un abrazo. Victor

Rick Bricker		19-Feb-2009 16:39
Fay.....what a wonderful dialogue to go along with your images of inspiration.My middle daughter followed in your footsteps and is now a practicing nurse in Emergency Trauma in Calgary,Alberta.She loves the pace and is full of enthusiasm.She followed my mother and my sisters into the field of nursing.I am sending her the link so she can enjoy your writings as well.Thank you.

click on thumbnails for full image