Lessons in Mindfulness From a Hospital Bed
The patient who taught me to slow down
Some days at the hospital are a blur of beeping monitors, rushing footsteps, and hurried conversations. That was what I expected when I first entered Mr. Peterson's room. He was 84 years old, had advanced COPD, and had previously been hospitalized. His chart was filled with notes about his medical history, but what stood out the most was his demeanor.
Unlike other patients who might have approached me with concern or frustration, Mr. Peterson greeted me with a gentle, "Hello there, Nurse Wesley." His smile was calm and unhurried, as if we were not in a hospital but rather an old friend's living room. I was in a hurry, as usual, checking his vitals, adjusting his IV, and going over my mental checklist for his care. However, as I moved around his bed, he stopped me with a quiet question, "What is the hurry?"
I paused, unsure of how to respond. After all, was it not my responsibility to move quickly? To anticipate needs, avoid complications, and manage multiple patients? He must have noticed my confusion because he chuckled and said, "Sometimes, the world will not end if you take a moment to breathe."
