Monika Lang
October 2015
Monika
Lang
,
RN-BC
Medical/Renal/Oncology
Advocate Condell Medical Center
Libertyville
,
IL
United States
Monika Lang went above and beyond her responsibilities as nurse and personalized patient care for both the patient and their family. This story was relayed to me by the patient's daughter, son-in-law as well as many of her peers.
A number weeks ago, she came onto shift and while waiting for report she assisted a PCT with a boost. As she walked in the room she was immediately reminded of her own parents. The husband was sitting at the bedside holding his wife's hand. Unfortunately, the patient was not able to verbally communicate due to a previous stroke and further complications. When Monika heard the husband's accent she asked what language he spoke. He told her that he was German and his wife spoke both English and German but they preferred to speak in German so she explained to them that she also spoke German and even though she wasn't their nurse, she would periodically check in on her and speak to the patient in German.
The husband asked her name and what her maiden name was. When she told him what it was he asked her who her father was. The patient's husband said, "You've got to be kidding me!" and told his story:
He was born in the same region as her father and when they came to the United States, he also played soccer with her father as younger men. He also described to her how he and his wife went to every dance and fest where Monika's father performed in a German band. He looked at his wife and said to her and his wife, "Some of the best times we ever had was listening to your father play music and whenever or where ever he played she would say, "We're going!"
Monika found old tape recordings of "The Diamonds" (her father's band) and converted it to a CD.
The next day she was their nurse and she played the CD for the patient and her husband. The patient actually mouthed some of the words! It was so beautiful to see her reaction.
Monika was so touched by both of their reactions and so glad that she had walked into that room the day before to help with a boost. For the patient and husband many of the songs are of love, happiness and the Heimatland (homeland).
This patient did pass in Hospice on East 2. The family requested the CD so that they could play it at her service. Monika worked to get copy of the songs for the family. This wonderful RN will tell you that she was blessed to have been able passed this gift of music that her family treasures on to this wonderful family.
We are blessed to have Monika Lang, a caring compassion nurse, working on East 2 and providing exceptional patient centered care!
A number weeks ago, she came onto shift and while waiting for report she assisted a PCT with a boost. As she walked in the room she was immediately reminded of her own parents. The husband was sitting at the bedside holding his wife's hand. Unfortunately, the patient was not able to verbally communicate due to a previous stroke and further complications. When Monika heard the husband's accent she asked what language he spoke. He told her that he was German and his wife spoke both English and German but they preferred to speak in German so she explained to them that she also spoke German and even though she wasn't their nurse, she would periodically check in on her and speak to the patient in German.
The husband asked her name and what her maiden name was. When she told him what it was he asked her who her father was. The patient's husband said, "You've got to be kidding me!" and told his story:
He was born in the same region as her father and when they came to the United States, he also played soccer with her father as younger men. He also described to her how he and his wife went to every dance and fest where Monika's father performed in a German band. He looked at his wife and said to her and his wife, "Some of the best times we ever had was listening to your father play music and whenever or where ever he played she would say, "We're going!"
Monika found old tape recordings of "The Diamonds" (her father's band) and converted it to a CD.
The next day she was their nurse and she played the CD for the patient and her husband. The patient actually mouthed some of the words! It was so beautiful to see her reaction.
Monika was so touched by both of their reactions and so glad that she had walked into that room the day before to help with a boost. For the patient and husband many of the songs are of love, happiness and the Heimatland (homeland).
This patient did pass in Hospice on East 2. The family requested the CD so that they could play it at her service. Monika worked to get copy of the songs for the family. This wonderful RN will tell you that she was blessed to have been able passed this gift of music that her family treasures on to this wonderful family.
We are blessed to have Monika Lang, a caring compassion nurse, working on East 2 and providing exceptional patient centered care!