Jane E. Doe here. Working until seven this morning, then my relief (Louisiana Sandusky) comes in. Been here since seven last night; am more'n ready to get back home to my little family! I'm tired!
I am working on the Medical floor. Have one patient under my care: a 20-year-old male named Slobo Trbanik (Trbanek?? Spelling??), who is on our floor, recovering from surgery (appendectomy). He's doing quite well, I'm happy to say.
Slobo was in the Intensive Care (this was where I first encountered him); now he's in a regular room. He and his mom, Veruca, are very sweet, gentle people, who are pleasant to be around.
Both Slobo and Veruca came to this country only a few short years ago; they immigrated from Bosnia-Hergezovina, to escape the strife there. Slobo is a casualty of the five year conflict they had there during the early nineties; he was injured as a result of the war. He's a paraplegic. He gets around on crutches.
The rest of his family have been wiped out from the conflict. They were at a mosque (they're Muslim), and a bomb exploded, injuring him, and killing all members of his family but his mother. Miraculously, even though Slobo was gravely injured, his mother escaped with only minor bumps, cuts, and bruises.
I learned all of this through Maggie Vidravitch, a nurse who is from that area. She speaks Serbo-Croat, is able to communicate with Slobo and his mom. She then relates what they say back to me in English; this way, I know what's going on. Maggie's been an invaluable help in keeping me informed, and this way, I'm not left in the dark.
Slobo and Veruca do not speak English; if they do, it's very little. Very frustrating to try to communicate with them!
At present, as I write this, Slobo is resting comfortably. IV site looks good (no redness, tenderness, or swelling), color excellent, very low fever, vital signs stable. I am most pleased as to how things are going; the relief nurse assigned to his care should have a very easy day.
I just peeked out in the hall at his mother; she's sleeping in the waiting area, sleeping like a baby, snoring delicately. It's good to see her getting the rest she needs; it's been very hard on her since her son became sick. She hasn't left his side since he first came in last week.
Now Slobo is due to be released in a day or two; I think I will miss them when they go. I just wonder what's going to happen to them; I pray nothing but good things for them in the future!
Somehow I don't think this will be the last you'll hear about Slobo or Veruca; they've made quite an impression on my heart!
~Written by Jane E. Doe, R.N., on 4/25/08.
