The story of specific individuals who have endured different life-threatening diseases such as cancer is a long and heartbreaking one. Since then, very few people have survived such ailments and being able to live and tell their story has always been an outstanding achievement since the beginning of life. In order to see deeper into what it takes to be one such survivor, I got a chance to interview an old friend of my father by the name of Steven Johnson. He is a 48-year-old male who developed cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in 2005 and has type two diabetes, hypertension, seizures, hyperlipidemia, and also cocaine use. He was born and reared in Orlando, Florida, on 17th June 1974. At first, he was reluctant to talk to me, but later on, he opened up and narrated the sad but encouraging story, and therefore, I believe he is the most credible foundation for this essay.
Steven Johnson is one of the Lakeview Nursing Home residents admitted to the facility after suffering some multiple disorders. Despite his suffering, he is always in a cheerful mood. However, he is sick. ‘I will heal, and despite my health deteriorating, I am confident that I will be OK.’ These are the most frequently used words by Steven Johnson. According to him, his misfortunes began way back before he was even born. His mum and dad had been hoping for a male child for many years. Although they already had two daughters, they longed for a son. However, due to Johnson’s mother’s poor obstetric history, she could not conceive, as she was partially infertile and had ovarian cysts on several occasions. Ovarian cysts and fibroids are suggested to affect women’s fertility.
Johnson tells me that, because of the above problem, he would not have been born since his parents were on the point of divorcing when his mum became pregnant three months later. They were delighted to learn that eventually, they had a personal connection. The couple went to the Radiology clinic as soon as the weeks were long enough to allow for an ultrasound where, fortunately, they discovered that the child was male. As a result of their vitality, the husband and wife decided to hold a surprise party. Many months later, the mother went into labor, and she delivered their kid, a healthy boy named Steven Johnson.
Johnson said that, before he was admitted to Lakeview Nursing Home, he had not been feeling well, he was frail, and his slurring of speech had gotten worse. His wife found him on the couch around 4:00 a.m., unable to stand up or respond to questions appropriately. He arrived at the hospital with increased global weakness, incoherent speech, and a disturbed mental state. He was transferred to the emergency room because of extremity weakness, indistinct speech, as well as confusion. When asked about the night’s events, the patient was unable to provide a clear answer.
Due to the above, the health assessment history of Steven Johnson was indicated in the file. The record showed a 48-year-old man with a history of CVA, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, seizures of one day, and medication noncompliance. Furthermore, he was experiencing an accumulative right-sided feebleness as well as dysarthria, which indicated a transient ischemic attack or a Cerebral Vascular Accident, assuming the client’s background of preceding strokes and disobedience with medication. Another possibility that could explain this presentation is a seizure or hypertensive urgency. Recurrence of this condition could explain his presenting symptoms, given his history of seizures before brain injury (CVA). However, according to his wife, he had previously experienced Lisa Cassani, MS3 seizures. His last attack was approximately three years ago.
Johnson disclosed some of his worst fears during the period he has endured this suffering. He claims that, for instance, a cancer diagnosis is made, the patient is confronted with a slew of difficulties. Fear of death, deformity, suffering, incapacity, infertility, reliance, rejection, changed connections, and financial difficulties are vital concerns in relation to medical and logistical elements discussed above (Cacheris & Hunsche, 2018). Therefore, he has never enjoyed life as any other average and healthy person, making him sad.
One thing this patient has going for him is that he is optimistic about his health and expects to recover from his condition as soon as possible. He was supplying information, which suggested that his health had improved. He thinks that everyone falls ill and that every sick person will be cured with the help of the creator. Despite his slurred speech, the client was excited and understood every detail of the material delivered to him. He was an engaged participant in most of his healthcare decisions, and he was a collaborative model. Considering his incapacity to execute other activities, he makes every effort to finish the ones he is capable of completing. Patient involvement results in improved health outcomes, a higher quality of life, and more appropriate and cost-effective treatment for the individual. This can happen if they are treated as equal participants in the healthcare system. They would become more involved in their medical care and pay more attention to the intricacies of their therapy.
Speaking with this person helped me understand that one of the main reasons survivors such as Johnson are regarded as heroes is their perseverance in the face of adversity. It also has something to do with the terminology chosen to describe, for instance, a cancer patient’s journey. They are engaged in combat or warfare, and when they come through treatments cancer-free, they will be considered heroes of this enormous war.
In conclusion, speaking to patients such as Steven Johnson, as previously indicated, is extraordinarily motivating and enhances job satisfaction in the medical field. Working with this client promotes the motivation to provide patient-centered care since the consumer is willing to help with any information. Choosing this customer for the profile essay was quick and straightforward due to all of the relevant information given. His illness is terminal, and he hopes that he will be able to return to work as a healthy adult one day.
References
Cacheris, W., & Hunsche, E. (2018). PIH15 – prevalence of diagnosed uterine fibroids and endometriosis in the US: Data from a nationally representative population-based survey. Value in Health, 21, S216. Web.