I'm sorry that you're grieving, Josephine, but your grief means you've given a part of yourself. 'Tis love at its best! Humanity needs you and your ability to love. Wishing you all things rare and beautiful in your recovery.

k of all the people that have survived because of your work and sleep well!

k about those who you saved. If you wasn't doing your job they would be good as dead as well. I'm sorry about that you lost him but you can't save everyone. It's just life. Thank you for caring about people. U are a good person

What you do is hard and under appreciated yet essential. You have empathy for the ones you care for giving them the best you have and that is a wonderful quality. You share the joy and satisfaction when they heal, You grieve for the ones you lose so cry, scream, punch a pillow, or have a temper tantrum. You are entitled. This is what makes you exceptional.

There will always be a "bad day" but please don't forget all the "good days", all the ones that got to go home to their families because you cared. Allow me to say Thank You.

I don't know how you do it. I really don't. You have my complete admiration.

Oh damn, was he elderly? That's pretty grim. Look you guys tried, and I'm sure that not everything can be known until the patient is actually opened up. I suppose other underlying issues can complicate how procedures progress. The outcome is never guaranteed is it.
What really stands out is the human aspect ...you held his hand. That would have been the one thing that would have given him tangible human support.
If it was me on the table and I didn't make it I would have appreciated the teams efforts to save me...but I would have mostly appreciated that an enlightened and compassionate human being had the heart to hold my hand..no promises..no guarantees but a hand to let me know that I am not going into the night alone. Well done.

Hugs matey!! Have experienced similar in care work. Kids dying from missadventure mainly. People say don't get involved but you can't help it I feel.

Lots of hugs.

So many wonderful things already said. Know that many are with you.

<3<3<3

I had a bad day too. I'm sorry to hear about your patient. It is hard to lose someone you know. My condolences to his/her family and to you.

Your there because you also have good days.
Days where the odds are worse, the chances less, and yet you succeed and save the patient despite them.
Like I told my daughter (a surgical nurse), it can help some people to have a trophy case (in your hospital locker, desk ), something chock full of mementos of GOOD days, to help you bear the bad outcomes.

Thank you for the job that you do.

I'm so sorry. Hugs

You did a good thing being there for somebody, and if it ever doesn't make you cry then that's when something is wrong, keep being amazing x

Josephine ... you're doing important compassionate work. It's particularly difficult in our death-defying culture. Europeans say about us: "There's one thing you've got to know about Americans; they think that death is optional." You know otherwise and you've chosen to be there to help those who need your gift. But it's a -burnout career so be sure you are getting enough support and that you're taking care of yourself. You're a hero.