r/randomactsofkindness • u/Few-Meaning7207 • 16d ago
Story Strangers in the Emergency waiting room...........
I recently spent some time in an emergency waiting room and over heard a lady who had been waiting her turn to be seen for an extended period of time, 4+ hrs. Within the time I was there she began to have an emtional break down. The amount of pain and frustration she was in was felt throuout the waiting area.
I was there for post op neck fusion possible issue and wasn't able to see the lady or what I heard next....
The room became quiet all of a sudden I head a very kind man's voice reassuring her and letting her know that he will be there for her for as long as she needs. He was also there to be seen. He was able to bring calmness not only to this poor lady who previously sat there alone and felt forgotten but the entire room.
This helped restored my hope in humanity.
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u/NicolleL 16d ago
I hope they were able to help you and that you will be on the mend soon! ❤️🩹
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u/Few-Meaning7207 16d ago
Awe, thanks. Everything turned out great, and I got teased that a pug put me in the ER.
I thought my pug was going to hit the incision site, and I naturally jerked my head away and heard a pop with extra pain.
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u/NicolleL 15d ago
If it makes you feel better, my sister got sent to the ER from a flaming marshmallow. We were roasting marshmallows and somehow when hers caught on fire and she pulled it back quickly, it hit her in the eye. She had marshmallow stuck in her eyelashes. She wasn’t sure if she had scratched her eye, so they suggested on the phone to go to the ER (we have a special eye room there). She did end up scratching it slightly but she was fine. But it was an amusing one for the doctors.
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u/sessiestax 14d ago
I’ve had a neck infusion, yes, keeping dogs calm and away from the surgical site (when at least mine) treat me like part of the furniture to crawl over. Up next is a hysterectomy and my biggest worry is my velcro chihuahua slamming into my stomach.
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u/Few-Meaning7207 14d ago
I absolutely feel like their jungle gym at times. Never realized how close they got to that area of my neck until now. I hope you've since recovered and all is well!
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u/Canadian1934 North America 16d ago
That was very kind and thoughtful of the gentleman to reassure and comfort the woman.
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u/examingmisadventures 16d ago
I and my other half were in an ER waiting room with four other families - all American but different cultural backgrounds. I’m English, and the other families were Honduran, Israeli, Chinese and German. We all waited miserably for news, smiling ruefully as the night stretched on.
A single elderly woman arrived, obviously in shock, with a Hispanic accent. The nursing assistant kindly asked if she wanted to see a priest.
She looked stricken and said “I’m Yoo-ish!”
Five Israeli heads snapped up as one. The matriarch sat next to her and they talked in Yiddish.
We were in that waiting room for three days and the support that group of families gave each other was tremendous. We ate a wide variety of food as friends and relatives of each group brought comfort. We cheered as one family left and wept with another who also departed.
It’s been 25 years and I still think of that international hodgepodge of people waiting, waiting for news of those they loved.
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u/CCattLady 16d ago
The last couple of times I was in the ER with my elderly mom it was at least 10 hours.
She had to be hospitalized from the exhaustion of waiting, literally. They told me if she'd been seen earlier they would have treated her and sent her home.
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u/Few-Meaning7207 16d ago
Oh my. That is shockingly unbelievable. I hope you put in a complaint. I wish her well.
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u/Just-Another-Poster- 15d ago
I was in the ER several months ago due to a dog attack and couldn't stop crying. I wish someone was emotionally there for me like that man was. What a great human being he is.
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u/Phillyf27 16d ago
Yes, people being there for others is wonderful.
However, why are so many people at the ER. People need to go to urgent care instead of the ER. If they can't breathe, if they are having heart issues, or if they have uncontrollable bleeding, they should go to the ER for the emergency that they are having. The rest should go to urgent care. I haven't waited over an hour at urgent care. I've seen people come to the ER by ambulance and get sat in the waiting area. Guess what they are telling you?
This might not seem kind, but one less person waiting means they & the others will be seen faster.
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u/Few-Meaning7207 16d ago
I completely understand and agree with you. I've also seen people come in by ambulance and get parked in the waiting areas. My boyfriend works in many different departments at our local hospital, and we wonder the same thing. To some, it seems like the simplest of things are an emergency. It's my understanding that ERs take in the more severe cases before others.
In my case, the urgent cares were closed, I knew I would need imaging that the urgent care doesn't offer. Plus, i was in contact with my PCP and went as a last resort.
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u/randomiscellany 15d ago
Sometimes it's an affordability issue. My understanding is that the ER will see you no matter what, but typically at an urgent care you have to pay before you get seen. My insurance is pretty good, but my urgent care copay is still like $70.
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u/angelofthemorning4 13d ago
Can confirm. I work in the ER. Due to the law called EMTALA, the ER physician must see and stabilize a patient regardless of whether they have insurance or the ability to pay the bill. This is why so many people come to the ER for minor things, because they can't afford to pay up front at a PCP or urgent care
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u/Phillyf27 13d ago
How frustrated do you get working in the ED?
I'm sure you & your coworkers get blamed for making those nice people wait. /s
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u/Sudden_Swing7332 14d ago
I was in the ER waiting room with a couple, the patient, a 90 yo man was sitting in a regular waiting room chair. He was bleeding & sliding out of the chair. I ended up sitting next to the wife. After a short time, she told me what was happening with him.
I went to the desk & reported what was happening, since no one from the hospital was checking on him. I let them know he needed to be seen now and moved to a carrier chair immediately.
I wonder why no one would report that to the des?. Are people really that insensitive? Yes, they are! We need to watch out for other patients. Some don't know how to handle issues. You must take action when you see someone in distress anywhereyouare & not be reticent.
PEOPLE DIE IN THE WAITING ROOM!!! Trick, If you need immediate attention, call an ambulance. They will put you in a bed, check you in, & take your vitals.
I fell in a parking lot with a head injury. I am so thankful, 2 people came to me while I was down & called for help. I am forever grateful!
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u/LikelyLioar 13d ago
I had once been in an ER waiting room for about six hours with an excruciating migraine. It got so bad I started ripping out my hair. I didn't know until my boyfriend told me later, but apparently another person waiting got called, and he told the nurse to take me first. I still so grateful to that man, and I never even saw his face.
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u/lianepl50 15d ago
4+ hours? I'm actually slightly envious. The last 3 times I've been in A&E (twice with elderly and really quite sick mother; once with son) have been 12+ hours.
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u/VixenTraffic 10d ago
Wow how kind. I think this is really a rare place to see this type of kindness.
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