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Welcome to NU430 Seminar Unit # 9 Nick & Mr. T

Case Study #1: Nick Nick was an active, healthy 2-year-old boy. While crossing the street with his mother, he was struck by a car and sustained multiple injuries. Nick's father rushed to meet them in the emergency room. While the health care team worked on Nick, his parents were asked to stay in the waiting room. Nick saw his mother at one point looking through the door and reached his arms out to her. The staff led her back outside before she could go to him. Nick's parents were informed that the injuries were very bad, and he needed help breathing. The physician asked for consent to intubate him to help him breathe easier. They gave their consent and continued to wait. One staff nurse informed them that they were still very busy trying to save him. After two hours, the physician came back to the waiting room to tell them that they could not save Nick, and she was sorry. Nick's mother began to scream, and the doctor became defensive, saying they had done everything they could. Nick died shortly after. When Nick's parents went to leave the hospital, the halls were empty. It was as if everyone had vanished. They went home alone.

Case Study #2: Mr. T Walking through the maze of crafts and Americana hanging from the walls, ceilings and piled high along the floor, I made my way back to the bedroom. I found a man, Mr. T., sitting up in the bed, gaunt from the ravages of his disease, wearing a baseball cap, and extending a welcoming hand. He got right to it. He said that for the first fifty years of his life he had lived hard and played hard. He ended up in a rehabilitation center, where he stayed clean and sober. Sixteen years ago he began a new life, moved to Florida and found a lovely wife to share the remaining years. Then, a few months ago, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He refused treatments. He looked at me and said, “I want to finish well. Just starting over isn’t enough. I want help in preparing for eternity.”

Case Study #2: Mr. T I contained my surprise so my mouth would not hang open from the stories he had told me. Or perhaps it was from the opportunity he now presented me. What more could I ask for than to be granted the privilege of helping a seeker prepare for eternity. I told him that my beliefs were personal and had been developed over many years. It was not my place to impose those beliefs on him. Still he persisted and asked me to help him. Very clearly and slowly we went through his belief system. He shared his beliefs, told me stories of his life, and his perceptions of life, death and beyond. I listened to him like a child listening to a bedtime story. He latched onto words of grace and forgiveness as he spoke. With eyes that bespoke memories of rougher days in the past, he smiled.

Case Study #2: Mr. T Over the next few weeks we talked often. He asked questions. I asked questions. He asked me to pray for him. Then came the day, as I ended my prayer, that he put his hand on mine and asked if he could also pray. I listened to the words of one unaccustomed to speaking to his higher power, but who was excited to begin. Finally he asked me to pray that God would not let him linger. And I did. The next morning I stopped by to check on him and discovered that he had died during the night. I remember feeling surprised, like I didn’t expect it. Then I remembered my prayer. I knew. Source: Fitts, J. (2000). “Mr. T.” Largo, FL: The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. Reprinted with permission.

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