marcoujor: Joseph's Story

As a nursing instructor, I appreciate the stress and anxieties that my students feel in varying degrees.

Intertwined in the rigors of nursing academia, each student must develop a balance between studying and living life.

Ironically life doesn’t check in with us to see if it’s a convenient time for serious illness, death, trauma. As such, our life prioritization must remain in a state of fluidity. This is true of us all - student, instructor, and Joseph Stump…​

​Last week I received a ‘New Contact Form’ on mar’s desk from a new nurse. I was thrilled that someone actually looked up my website - even more that he took the time to give me some feedback that remains firmly planted in my heart.

When I wrote Joseph, asking him if I could share his note with my readers, he agreed and was gracious enough to tell me his story. 

Please read our exchange below, for yourself.

Image via russmac of Pixabay. Click here to view their gallery.

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Dear mar,   

Just saw your special on Discovery ID. I recently graduated nursing school on December 14th.

I am a Marine corps veteran who served in the battle of Fallujah (seeing some of the most violent/fierce fighting since the Vietnam War)and by comparison nursing school was the absolute hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

I always thought "why did it have to be so hard, nursing isn't this difficult", but boy after watching your story it made me take a step back. You are a true nursing warrior, and I'm sure all of your nursing students are extremely lucky to have you as an instructor.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Have a great holiday.
​
Joseph Stump​

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Dear Joseph,

I am humbled by your note. To me, YOU are the definition of a nursing warrior.

Thank you for taking the time to watch the Discovery show. The best 'gift' I
gained from this most negative experience was reaching / touching/ raising
awareness in the viewing audience - no matter what walk of life.

May I share your note in an upcoming post - I would love my readers to
be similarly inspired by you. No worries if you're not comfortable with this.

Wishing you a peaceful and healthy 2018. I believe nursing is fortunate to
have you in our profession.

Take good care, mar​

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Hey Mar,
​
Yes ma’am, you may absolutely use our correspondence for your post; I'd love to read how you incorporate it into you writing. When you responded I was pleasantly surprised. I just love watching those types of shows and I like researching the story and digging just a bit deeper after. That is how I stumbled upon your site, and thought about how awesome it would be to share this with my mother, that you responded, because she was just like me in that she enjoyed watching those types of shows. But unfortunately she passed away July of ’16 after intense tragedies herself.  If you don’t mind I’ll share our story briefly.

I started my prerequisites for nursing school and was going along good, and then she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery, chemo, radiation, and in the process her house burned to the ground. She moved in with me immediately, I got her settled in with all her necessities and she continued to receive treatment. She was getting back to her old form and doctors were saying things were looking good.

By now I’m in the middle of my 3rd semester of a 4 semester nursing program. She then became ill again, and was hospitalized spending 3 straight months in the hospital. Ultimately the doctors said there was nothing to be done so home hospice is what we chose, she came home with me and 8 days later she passed.

I neglected nursing school and working hard at passing because I was consumed with my mother’s well being. So I ended up failing one class, which would require me to repeat the semester. I had all but realized that nursing may not be my thing now. However, before we left the hospital to come home my mom said “Joseph, you have to promise me you will finish nursing school.” I assured her I would. So after she passed, I took a semester off just to tend to her affairs but got back up on the horse for this fall semester, and completed the most difficult task I had ever set out to do and graduated.

I just wanted to share our story, since you were willing to share your story with so many. The most intriguing part about your story was how it ended, in that you became a teacher to share your experiences and knowledge with future nurses, instead of running away from nursing you ran right back in. Thank you for your speedy response. And it was an honor talking to you.

Have a Great Day,
​
Joseph​

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​I am similarly honored and proud to share Joseph’s story of determination and grit in achieving his life goals.

Please share the impact this post has had on you, either in the comment stream or by email.

I will share my reactions and observations in a follow-up piece.

For now, I am grateful for Joseph’s reminder that: ‘we may never know the positive impact we can have on each other and when we do, it’s a precious gift’.

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ShoutOuts

☙ The Joy of Having an Extended Family on the Internet via Martie’s Foyer

☙ Yukons Colourful 5% Wigwam Harry via Fireside with Rolly

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​Until next time, wishing you peace and love, mar