What are some real-life examples where doctors or nurses have bent the rules for a patient’s benefit, and why do they sometimes feel it’s necessary to do so?
When I was in my 20’s I was quite ill and had to be hospitalized 21 times in 7 years. At that time I had a dog named Chelsea. She was a very very small Bichon Frise cared for by my (then) fiance each time I was away.
Chelsea had been accidentally trained to get in the bottom of a bag, have it zipped closed but to stay quiet. During one visit, knowing what it would mean to me, my fiancé decided to sneak the dog into my hospital room.
This was the beginning of a non sanctioned smuggling effort that went on for 6 years. The dog knew the hospital by sight after having dropped me off there several times. In fact after a few trips to visit me with my fiance, she began to eagerly hop in the bag knowing she would soon be able to lay next to me.
Many times nurses would come in for tests, IV bag changes, blood draws, etc. Every nurse saw my dog laying quietly by my side and each said the same thing… ”I won’t say anything, but watch out for ‘so and so’ because they probably will have a problem with it.” Yet, none of the nurses or doctors demanded that my dog be removed. It was as if they all knew that beyond my physical health, this small creature was caring for me and my emotional well being.
The warnings never yielded a single incident of dismay or concern. I will always be indebted to those beautiful medical professionals who simply chose to “not see” Chelsea at my side. They helped me recover more than my physical health through their kindness.
The hospital is no longer standing, but the memories will last with me forever. I will always be grateful for those small and large acts of generosity. They remain as permanent salves on my soul.
