Operating Room Nurse Day

November 14, 2020 (Saturday)

Today is Operating Room Nurse Day, always celebrated on November 14, honoring those important nurses, who care for patients before, during and immediately after surgery. It’s a very important role, during a period where a patients comfort and life is in another person’s hands. The roots of this special day trace back to Iowa. On November 14, 1989, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad established Operating Room Nurse Day.

I have been very fortunate during my lifetime and have had very little surgery. After a heart attack, I was in the hospital and a stress test was scheduled. But before that test could be done, there was an opening in for an angiogram, also called a heart catheterization, which is a diagnostic test that uses x-rays to take pictures of blood vessels. A long flexible catheter is inserted through the blood stream to deliver dye (contrast agent) into the arteries making them visible on the x-ray.

So they wheeled me into that room where a number of young doctors gathered around my stretcher. They were waiting for the doctor who would supervise, and perform surgery if needed. As we all waited for the surgeon, the young men joked with each other. Suddenly the door opened and they all faced the door in silence. The person at the door was the remaining young doctor who was a little late. The new arrival surveyed the silent group, and spoke: “Is he dead?” he asked. “No,” they replied, “we are waiting for the surgeon.” They continued to talk and joke among themselves until the surgeon arrived. The test showed a blockage and a decision was made to insert a stent. When I woke up, I was in recovery and a nurse was attending me, her hand placed to insure that bleeding did not take place. She remained in position for a half hour. I was in a sort of dream state but I remember talking with the nurse and finding her to be very reassuring in her manner. I suppose that was something she did every day, but for me it was special care.

The present pandemic has reminded all of us of the importance of doctors, nurses and all the other people involved in caring for people day after day. Let us remember to pray for them daily. Their compassionate and dangerous work is never done–there are always more patients on the way.