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STORY OF THE WEEK  |
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The Meaning of Love |
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a.m., when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s, arrived to
have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment
at 9:00 a.m.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone
would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with
another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On examining, it was well healed, so I talked to one
of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his stitches and re-dress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in a conversation. I asked him if he had a
doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he
needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was
a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she
would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she
had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him. “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who
you are?” He smiled as he patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she
is.” |  | |
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