"a homeless with a home"

He was brought to the hospital emergency department as a man found unconscious.  He was screaming about his eviction from his home but I was told by the ambulance transport team member that he was homeless and was found unconscious at a bus stop booth. He was intoxicated with spirit, losing mind and body, and incontinent with an odor mix of booze and urine.

He appeared unkempt,  he told me that he drank too much and passed out. I  asked him questions about his health and ordered tests. While I was doing his history and physical examination, he kept asking me about his belongings and the property where he was residing. There were many reasons for him to be homeless those were sadly preventable but none to blame.

To some, the observation of whether he was truly homeless is rightful as he claimed the bus stop booth was his address. They may argue the rights of convenience for one that infringes others rights and is inconvenient to many as in his case he was literally living at a public bus stop booth. Others ponder about the burden of caring for an individual from the ill effects of elements, which is a task that requires creative kindness at many levels.

Some find it as an opportune leap of faith as we were foretold about the situation as noted:

"And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Mathew 8:20)

"the cadillac spirituality"

 What rich people do with so much money. They were talking about the world's wealthiest three. Why they do not donate to lots of charity. Why they need so much money, what they will do witt it. Then one of the nurses said if I have that much money I would be doing a lot of charity, not like these people. 

I was there to look at the bedsores and stage III wounds during my wound care visit. I stayed quiet during those commentaries as my patient was getting wound care with the wound nurse. 

Then the patient spoke whom we all admired for his wit and humor. He said, it is not your money why do you care what they do with it. Then he smiled and said, in reality, these wealthy people do a lot for charity, just google it. Wealth brings different kinds of spirituality, the power of abundance: the Cadillac spirituality. 

As we smiled so was he while looking at us as he got our attention. Our expectations from money are to pay bills and buy unfulfilled dreams: house, car, vacation, helping family, children education and giving for charity, etc.  But the power of abundance brings another level: feeling beyond materials, freeing oneself from the ordinary. This is the life most wealthy people strive for but since it not on display we lose ourselves by judging them with our own lives and what is in our valet.

Then he reminded us that was already said:

"Every day is a bank account, and time is our currency. No one is rich, no one is poor, we've got 24 hours each" (Christopher Rice)

“For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10)

"PRN (PRO RE NATA) MEDICATIONS"

During the morning round she appeared very sleepy and difficult to stay awake to answer questions about her condition.  She was suffering from anxiety, acid reflux, and chronic pain issues besides other comorbidities.

As I asked about her last night with regards to her anxiety and pain; she broke into tears as she mentioned that she suffered all night from anxiety and pain and she has to ask for help.  She said help arrived but after she keeps asking for medications.

As I reviewed her chart she was on multiple scheduled as well as as-needed (PRN) medications for anxiety and pain.  She received scheduled medication on time but as-needed (PRN) medications were discretionary and not received.

As we know, and some may not that p.r.n.: abbreviation meaning "when necessary" (from the Latin "pro re nata", for an occasion that has arisen, as circumstances require, as needed)

She wanted me to make a  difference in nursing practice by implementing a COWS rule for every nursing shift. Nurse must review PRN medications with their patients as not to miss an opportunity to intervene when help is already on stand by. The red flag then turns into a smiley face on COWS (Computers on Wheels) as a goal to achieve structured compassion.

To some with their old school of care, nursing involves care of giving beyond one's asking for help. They feel with their heart and eyes. They know what is there for their patient's needs. Others forget available necessary medications even as circumstances require to be administered. Certainly, the abbreviation PRN does not mean "please remember not".

"secret of being humble: two words"

If you want to be humble, just remember two words, two states of being. The professor was talking while getting prep for his colonoscopy.  We were wondering as what will he say to enlighten us. Then he said two words with a  smile: Diarrhea and Constipation, 

Only those who suffer know it quite well; the discomfort, embarrassment, and the moment of weakness. The private sufferings of one's privates; losing control, or failure to let go of waste.  Everyone has it, only a few remember that moment.  Then the return of ego, anger, conquest, win or lose. The claims of one better race over others, the superiority of being in what. Everyone has same number one and two to wipe and wash.  The blockage or a free-fall makes us all equal human beings: whether royals or commoners, all feel the same. The simple pep talk started in the Endoscopy suite end up as food for thought. 

To some, these bodily dysfunctions become a chronic issue. They get restricted, isolated. They feel embarrassed as they feel that they are the only ones with issues. Others enlighten themselves as all are born equal, search for humility in a moment of weakness, a remembrance of a common thread of being human and so weak as to get incapacitant with one's own bodily dysfunction.