The Get Well cords

Real stories about cords keeping patients connected

My Bad

Have you ever had a time when you were so excited about something that you were just bursting at the seams share it? Well, I maybe it is because most hospital experiences are so painful that I am just itching to bring some kind of joy to people. Or maybe because the last few months year and a half has been downright HARD on the patients and their loved ones, but I just get so excited to give out these cords!

One day I had gone downstairs with another nurse from my floor. He wanted to go get his COVID booster shot, and I wanted to go get a COVID test due to a possible exposure. Well good news for the other nurse, the booster shot line with going strong, but bad news for me...COVID tests are only Monday AND Fridays, not Monday through Friday as I had been told (big difference!) Anyhow, this particular nurse knows I'm always anxious at work, running here, there, and everywhere trying to do stuff for the patients. He knows I rarely take a break which is why he dragged me off the floor to come downstairs with him. So, I took his not so subtle message that I need to take a break and decided to run to the gift shop while he got his shot, and then we'd go back upstairs together.

As I was searching the gift shop for my vices (Chex Mix and Chex Mix Muddy Buddies) I overheard a lady trying to purchase a phone cord for husband who was a patient (something I've become very good at since becoming a nurse is paying attention to other situations while doing something else...some might call it an acquired talent for eavesdropping, but tomato/toMAto). When I overheard, "No, it doesn't come with the plug, you have to buy that in addition to the cord." I didn't think twice before I excitedly ran over and said, "I have a cord upstairs I can give you! Let me look at the bottom of that phone to see what kind you need!" As the words were spilling out of my mouth, I realized I had just sabbatogged the sale for the gift shop...oops! I looked up at the gift shop lady sheepishly and said, "I'm sorry, I have a little project where we give cords to patients with prayers on the back, they are donated. I didn't even realize I was ruining your sale. I really am sorry!" Nonetheless, I was still excited about the Get Well Cord and I asked the lady which floor her husband was on so I could bring it to her, she told me his room number and I quickly escaped the awkward situation I had created with the gift shop lady and left the gift shop...

I ran downstairs to get my colleague and of course I was cracking up because of the irony of creating an enemy when I am truly trying to be nice and helpful! I told the other nurse the story as we made our way to the elevators, and by happenstance, the lady who was trying to buy the cord in the gift shop got on the elevator with us! We were all laughing at the story (mostly my stupidity), and the sweet lady told us she bought some stuff so the gift shop would still make some money, even though she wasn't buying a cord. We all couldn't stop chuckling at what an idiot I was to quash that sale without even thinking!!

When I brought the cord to her husband's room a few minutes later, we were both still giggling at the situation! (Side note, I have no idea how much those cords cost in the gift shop or how long they are, but can anyone say CAPTIVE MARKET! and I know for certain the cords they sell don't have inspirational messages or prayers attached to them to make people feel better!) I met her husband, wished him well, and plugged the cord in for them. She offered me some money, and of course, I told her no, but directed her to the website on the cord, so that if she felt compelled she could donate there or at least pass on the word!

And now, I guess I'll have to seek to feed my Chex Mix vice elsewhere as to avoid the awkwardness I created for myself in the giftshop...my bad!

Football family

During one of my shifts, another nurse asked me if I might be able to do a blood draw on a patient that was a "hard stick." Apparently many nurses had attempted to "stick" her, but were unsuccessful. As I was examining her veins, looking for the best vein for this attempt, I noticed she was talking to someone on her cell phone, but was also watching the TV. After a few minutes, I noticed she was watching a football game "with" her son while on a video call with him. It was so cute, they'd talk about the play, cheer on their team, etc!

Unfortunately, after examining her arms for way too long, and pulling out all of the tricks to try to obtain a blood sample, I was unsuccessful in my attempt. In addition to that let-down, her phone battery had drained to 1% and she told her son she'd have to let him go while she charged her phone. Ugh. I felt so bad for her. No telling how many times this very calm, patient woman had let us poke her with needles, only to still not have the blood sample that was needed. Here she is stuck in the hospital, being poked a jillion times, limited to one visitor, and now her phone was dead, taking away the fun she was having watching that football game "with" her son.

I apologized for the unsuccessful lab draw attempt on my part, and asked if she wanted me to plug her phone into her charger that I could see was behind her bed (with a very short cord.) She looked at me kind of surprised that I would even offer to plug her phone in, but I told her I was more than happy to do it and that I thought it was so fun she was watching that game with her son over the phone. She told me they both love this particular team (not being a sports fanatic myself I have totally forgotten which team it was but anyhow) they love to watch the games together.

All the while, my mind was reeling with excitement about this PERFECT opportunity for a Get Well Cord! I told the woman I had something for her and that I'd be right back. When I returned with the cord, and plugged up her phone to the 10 foot charging cable, and placed the phone in her hands WHILE it was charging, her face lit up! I said, "Now you can still watch that game with your son while your phone is charging!" I showed her the prayer on the back of the cord, and she looked up with watery eyes, and said "Wow! This is a ministry!" I told her that I am so happy to be able to provide these cords to patients, but the thank yous are to the very generous people who donate to this cause. I wished her well as I left the room, and even though I felt horrible about the umpteenth unsuccessful jab to her arm, I could see that her demeanor was completely changed by the functionality of the cord, and the message/prayers behind it! I am so grateful for the generous donations that are truly making a difference for patients!

The First Cord

I was able to distribute one of the first official Get Well Cords made possible by a generous donation! The patient had very limited mobility due to the present illness affecting his body. He very politely asked if I would plug his phone in because he was expected to go for a procedure in an hour or two (a procedure where he could bring his phone due to a lot of expected downtime.) His phone was running low on battery and he wanted to make sure it had some charge on it before he left the floor for the procedure.

When I went to plug in his phone I noticed his charging cord was very short, and it was impossible to place the phone within his reach while it was being charged. I was excited about the opportunity to distribute the first official Get Well Cord, so I said, "Hang on a second, I have something for you!" and quickly went to grab a Get Well Cord!

When I gave the cord to him, plugged it in to his phone, and he realized he could still use it while it was charging with the long 10 foot cord, his face absolutely lit up! I told him that I started a little project and that a very nice person donated the cord and attached a Get Well message on the back of the tag on the cord. I told him it is a small way we are trying to keep hospital patients connected. When he found out the cord was his to keep, he was surprised, and his face lit up even more! He said, "This is really cool! Thank you so much!"

It may sound like a small thing, but this patient ended up having to wait to go to his procedure for over two hours (there is a LOT of waiting time in healthcare) and having his phone accessible while it was charging helped pass the time, helped keep him in touch with his loved ones, and simply brightened his day! He was then able to have a full charge on his phone when he finally left the floor for his procedure. Being that he will be able to keep the cord after he is discharged, he will be reminded of the kindness of a stranger, and the goodness of humankind even after his illness gets better and he leaves the hospital!

Sometimes it is the little things, like phone cords, and the kindness of others that can make all of the difference to someone during a difficult time!