We're all bound to learn some life lessons, and most of the time it is through our tougher times. Just the other day, I was in a situation where my health was getting out of control and I had to seek some medical care, but on the other hand, my finances were in a state where I couldn't afford to make a hospital visit.
I ended up spending the next three days bed ridden and in terrible pain. I had no energy whatsoever, and with every small movement I felt like I was trying to conquer Mt. Everest. It wasn't until I was about to reach my breaking point that I got assistance from the most unlikely person - my teenage daughter who's 19 and is currently doing a nursing traineeship.
When she proposed the idea of ‘treating’ me on her own, I instantly felt proud but a bit scared. The idea of my daughter, who I consider a child emerging as a ‘doctor’ and treating me as her first patient, was warming but nerve racking at the same time.
Needless to say, her attitude wowed me. The home consultation she did for me I saw as an examination. And like a seasoned professional, she had a detailed account of my medical history. She took this information back to her training hospital and in return was able to bring me back a prescription which eliminated the need for us to pay for a in person hospital consultation.
I gave her the little money I had on hand and asked her to go buy treatment materials. She was knowledgeable in medical supplies and procured everything for us at a cheap price - yet another benefit and blessing for us in a difficult financial period. It revealed to me one more aspect of her training – it wasn’t only about the medicine, but rather how to provide medicine in a more convenient and accessible manner to the people.
The moment of truth and trust came when she walked into the room with needles, syringes and an IV drip. Pausing to think about the moment with the medical implements in her hands wasn’t simple. Trusting a child with serious medical tools is no different than giving your child life long investment, to put it gently.
What emerged from the situation was an opportunity for powerful learning from both of us. She was getting practical experience. I was there to see how far along she’s come with her education in medicine. Although my illness was hiding most of the parental feelings, I felt a particular type of joy watching her confidently explain the procedure while she accurately operated all the medical equipment in front of her.
With the IV still in my arm, my trust in her grows with every hour that passes. My condition seems to be getting better which only means I continue to improve. There are risks when it comes to trainee nurses practicing on family members, but for me, trust is what enabled a great result.
This experience taught me a simple but powerful lesson, sometimes our limits, in this case financial, can be a reason for us to receive unexpected gifts. Apart from the healthcare that I needed, I was also able to see my daughter’s growth in her profession.
The experience vastly changed the way I relate with my daughter. The familiar hierarchy changed and brought a new layer of trust and respect. The bond was strengthened in many ways beyond my expectations.
I know that as I continue my recovery the knowledge, care, and bravery of my daughter shall support me. The best care is not always given from well-known hospitals full of expensive equipment, it can come simply from home with a loving heart and supportive hands.
During a crisis, family support is invaluable. The impact of a person meeting, or exceeding, their expectations during difficult times is impressive. The healing process from my daughter was more than just physical due to my trust in her training and her confidence in herself.
As my nurse student progresses in her studies, she carries with her the utmost confidence having treated her first patient, her father. Sometimes, the best medicine comes wrapped in family affection, trust, and determination.