The Nurse, Ethel Buff

There is much adieu about doctors, but have you ever known a REAL NURSE?  I believe the first real Nurse I ever knew was Ethel Buff, RN. We lived in Rutherfordton and she attended our church. Very sweet and understanding lady.

I was asked to visit a sort of derelict guy who was in the hospital there, he wasn’t homeless but lived in an old school bus on some property left him by the family. I visited we talked, and he asked if I had an electric razor he could borrow. So the next day I took it to him. I talked with his Doctor who said, “He is a VERY sick man.”

As I was leaving Ethel caught up with me in the hall, she always called me ‘Brother Darnell’. “Brother Darnell, did you get to talk to his doctor?” I said yes and what he had told me.

She could tell I did not understand ‘VERY SICK’ as it was used then (not sure about today). She said that means he will probably die soon.  “I saw you with an electric razor. If you get it back throw it away or allow me to clean it, his VD count is off the charts. The Doctor should have warned you!”

I left the hospital and went home to do some very deep cleaning, the man died a little later I never did recover that razor.

As I understand it there is a lot a nurse is NOT allowed to tell you. But many will break a rule if necessary to protect you……………

I know plenty of seniors who would prefer to be diagnosed and counseled by a nurse. Older patients get the idea the Doctor is just too busy to bother with the OLD guys and gals. Also there are many nurses who actually seem to be more insightful than some doctors.

Incidentally we now have a Nurse Megan Darnell in the family and will soon have Nurse Jennifer Darnell also. Both these ladies I would trust with my life. Some who know me know that I have a special place in my heart for the family ’Conrad’. Mother Eileen would have made a very caring nurse (or doctor), she has daughters who excel in the medical world as nurses and home care, compassionate to the core.

…………….After leaving Rutherfordton I do not remember any contact with Ethel again UNTIL…… 1972. I was stationed in GITMO. My dad was in the hospital in Charlotte, NC. I received an overseas call from BIL Dick. “Jack the Doctors will not contact the Red Cross yet because they are not sure about your dad, but do you remember Ethel Buff?”

“Sure, YES.”

“She is on staff here in Charlotte now, she asked the Dr. for permission and did not get it, but told me anyway, she said to tell you, if you want to see your dad alive you had better get here as soon as possible.”

My Command took my word for dad’s condition and flew me home. Unfortunately the weather was bad and dad passed while the plane was finding a place to land a couple hundred miles away. But I will never forget Ethel Buff, RN!

Of course a Doctor is under a lot of pressure with the schedules most have. The nurse is also under the gun, but for some reason they have time to be more human, it seems. God Bless the unheralded NURSE!

I hope one day they are allowed more latitude in diagnostics.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Sorry for the length, but I was just thinking of Ethel and the nursing field.  If I had not interrupted my Sherry’s life that is what she wanted to be, and would have been a GOOD one.

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The Citreon 4x4  1974