Like most of the pictures I have used this is a stock picture from the internet and not a picture of an actual patient from our health system.  (Privacy rights prohibit the use of pictures of actual patients.)  This week I have had to let of patients who have died.  While this happens every week, this week was different.  I had not realized it but I had bonded with some of the patients and their families more deeply than I realized.  As a result of that the death of the patient caused more of a personal emotional reaction inside me than I expected.

So I have found myself using the advice I give to families on how they might want to process their grief in the days ahead.  I will be attending one of the funeral visitations.  I have been praying for several of the patient’s families as I have seen the sad expressions on their faces, have seen their tears and know that they had a strong bond of love with the patient who has died.

I write about this just to let readers know that health care employees in all areas (nursing, physicians, therapists, and specialty technicians) all face the process of letting go of patients they have grown close to during the treatment process.  Even if the staff member does not tell you how much the death of the patient has affected them you can be sure if a bond was built that the patient will be remembered many times following the death.  I consider it a privilege to be able to spend enough time with patients and their families that these emotional bonds are formed.