An interesting encounter at D/a question of etiquette

[gothiclovemonkey]

The other day I was approached at D, by a woman in tears. She tells me that she has a son on dialysis, he has just started, and the few times she has seen me, she has seen me with a smile on my face. She continued to tell me the saddest story about her son wishing for death, and wondered if id talk to him., "because I seem so happy" I said I would be happy to do so, and if she needed anything, she too could call any time. I wrote him a little letter, welcoming him to our world of D, and also telling him about the site, and gave him my personal info to get ahold of me if he has any questions, or just needed and ear.
I told her sometimes it just takes time, when I first started D I wasnt happy about it, but I have an interesting outlook on life anyway. She is the type of mother Id guess my mom would be like. Sure made me miss my mother!
Anyway, today, during my treatment she came in with a card to thank me. Inside a gift card!
She is so sweet. I dont think i need to be thanked for doing that though... I feel like i didnt do much. Hopefully he will join our community... I know how hard it was for me when i started, and this site has helped me sooo very much.

What is the etiquette here? Do I write her a thank you note for thanking me??

[ChrisEtc]

I would just say thank you next time you see her and ask her how he's doing.  That was nice of you to make the time!

[KarenInWA]

GLM - that is such a sweet and inspiring story! I agree with ChrisEtc, to say thank you to her when you see her next. I look at her giving you a card and gift card as she wanted to acknowledge the fact that you did something HUGE for her son, and she really wanted to show you her appreciation. Kurdos to you for helping someone in their time of need, and for being a cheerful face and personality in a place that is usually not. It's always good to bring that into a D center!

KarenInWA

[jbeany]

I think etiquette is for a verbal thank you and a sweet description of what you did with the gift card.  "Thank you so much - my son and I really enjoyed our dinner out."  That sort of thing. 

[gothiclovemonkey]

Being that saturday is my last in-center treatment, i hope i see her again!

I only hope he decides to join us, and get the support and community we have here. im sure we all know that feeling hes having quite well, and it makes me sad that i couldnt do more for him.
The way I see it, I can go to D with a smile on my face, be silly and have fun, or lay down and die. Im not quite ready to throw in any towels just yet...
Fun fact about today at D. :
I went to ask the tech if hed taken my temp yet, its an ear thermometer... i was half asleep, and said "Did you put ur thingy in my ear?!" heh
sadly, thats isnt the worst thing ive said!

You have to keep laughing even when u want to cry

[Hazmat35]

We had a similar situation not too long ago.  My G/F volunteers at our Dialysis center.  When I'm there she's there!   She had to do some training and lots of paperwork for the center in order to be "official" and legal. 

Anyway, she helps all the patients, makes then comfortable, gives them that 2nd hand that they need every so often and just general helps out everyone with what ever they need.  She also helps them out to their cars or vans after treatments. 

We had one man, who was in his early 30's, who was very ill.  His mom dropped him off for each treatment and my G/F helped her take him out to the car afterwards.  A few weeks ago, he passed away, and his mom came to the center to say Goodbye to everyone, and thank the staff for all they did.  She gave my G/F a thank you not and a $100.00 bill.  I told her to give it back, but everyone at the center told her to keep it, and just say thank you next time she comes by.  They felt it was The Mom's way of saying thank you, and a return card wasn't need, just an acknowledgement that she received it. 

[paris]

You never know when you will be an angel in someone elses life.  You did a great act of kindness.  I hope he joins IHD.  You are such a sweetie and you deserve good things to come your way.     

[Annig83]

  That was so awesome of you GLM   I agree with everyone here, I think all you need to say is thank you (if you see her).  I hope SHE and her son join here.  This site is so awesome and has helped me so much, I hope they can get a sense of relief too.

[billybags]

That was really nice of you Goth

[gothiclovemonkey]

I dont really see it as being nice...
I wish someone had been able to do something like that for me, so i would naturally do that for someone. This is scary thing to deal with, especially at first when its sprung on you. (although, id guess if you had something that causes it, you would be more aware than i was!)
I am always telling people stuff about dialysis and esrd and donation. They need to know it can happen to anyone. And i cant tell you how often i meantion IHD lol
I love this place!