"Patient Care Associate," that is my label. I have now been working at Deaconess Hospital for about a month. I am proud to say my title includes: taking vital signs, wiping butts, giving baths, turning patients, draining ostomy tubes and hemovacs, testing glucose, inserting catheters, discontinuing IV's, charting patient information, administering postmortem care and other random tasks.
While many of you are probably grossed out already, I am intrigued by my job each and every day. There is never an uneventful day on OMCC (Orthomedical Care Center.) We see it all...we receive patients from all floors due to the fact that we are the largest floor at the hospital. Most of our patients are 50 or older; however, we see the occasional younger patient from an automobile/motorcycle/atv accident. When I applied for the job, I did not want to work with the elderly. Through my experience thus far, I have gained a whole new respect for them and have discovered they are some of the most interesting people I will probably ever meet.
One lady's life has truly impacted me. She was so cute...92 years old and on complete bedrest. She was receiving oxygen and her lungs were filling up with fluid quickly. The doctor informed her family she was not going to make it much longer. Her husband of 70 years (he is 88) spent a whole day by her side, holding her hand. After her family left for what would be the last time, I spent some time in her room. I bathed her, cleaned her mouth, changed her sheets and put lotion on her frail body. She could not speak to me or give me any direction of how she wanted to be cared for, but I could see it in her eyes. I could sense her contentment. I talked to her, ran my fingers through her hair, and silently prayed. I eagerly waited until my next shift to see the woman I had previously connected with, only to find a new patient was occupying her room. She died that same evening I had spent time with her. Thank you Lord for being the Ultimate Comforter!
The one thing I love most about my job is that I am able to share the love of Christ with my patients and coworkers. I get the opportunity every day to impact someone else's life with my attitude. I can be different. I can rejoice in the day that God has given me and go to work with a smile on my face. I have received the assignment from Christ to be His hands to these patients, and I feel honored to meet their needs day in and day out.
Evansville's Buddy Walk
This is Dennis Christopher.
I will never forget:
The way he always stuck his tongue out at me. His curly hair.
Taking naps together.
When we were sick and stayed home from school together.
His wonderful dad. The sound he made when he was happy.
Dennis's special: Ravioli and pudding Fridays.
Our trip to Holiday World. His cute little feet.
Leaving work with food on my clothes and in my hair...everyday.
Dennis and I did everything together.
He loved to laugh when I pulled him around in the pool.
He loves being pushed in his stroller on walks. We went to the movies, to the zoo, to parks, and had picnics outside on a blanket.
This is my little sister Emily. Most people would tend to disagree that we are sisters because we do not have the same parents; however, we are sisters. Emily is my mini-me. We laugh together, cry together, pray together, and just love being together. We had a discussion on the way home from lunch yesterday and decided very rarely, if ever do we get tired of one another. We shared a room for 15 wonderful 
months and not a night went by that I did not pray her for before falling asleep. She has a love for Jesus and it radiates from her every where she goes...in her smile, in her hug, in her nonstop laughter. She has a heart for serving the Lord. She accompanied me to work many days to care for Dennis, and after a few times she could have cared for him herself if it weren't for the fact that he 
is twice her size. She has wisdom and knowledge that exceeds that of an average eight year-old. She prays for her family, friends and neighbors that have not been saved. She has a way of tickling me and can make me giggle like no one else can. She loves to snuggle, desires one on one time and likes to hold hands (all things I love!) Emily, I love you darling. You are the best little sis. I still pray for you every night (Chesapeake reminds me to).
