FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 7, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 61
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My beloved husband
Stu was a doctor for
50 years specializing
in nephrology, kidney disease.
I can still hear his voice when
the phone rang in the middle of
the night. It was always a nurse
calling for advice regarding a
patient.
Th e nurses basically ran the
hospital and when there was a
problem and a patient was in
trouble, they called my husband.
But I always heard my husband
ask the nurses what they think
they should do and the nurses
would usually answer, and I
would hear Stu say in his powerful
voice, “well, just do it!”
Based on my Stu’s conversations
over the years with his
nurses, I knew the respect he
had for them. But rarely did he
say it. How many of us forget to
say thank you to the nurses who
care for us?
When Stu was so sick in
the last year of his life, several
months were spent in the ICU.
I knew that doctors had been
giving the orders, but it was
the professional and caring
nurses that were by his side
administering his IV, medications,
and turning him
over to make sure he never
had bed sores.
I still remember his ICU
nurse holding my hand as I
cried in fear for Stu’s life. She
listened and reassured me with
a silent hug. It helped.
Th e nurses made a diff erence
to Stu and I, keeping him alive
when everyone had lost hope.
Th ey gave us extra months to be
together, and I cherished each
day. It was the nurses who made
it possible.
It was Stu who came up with
the idea of 12-hour shift s at St.
Francis so that nurses could have
continuity with their patients.
Fift y years later, that is still the
way nurses work.
Th is is National Nurses Week
and I’m so happy our media
company is honoring the brave
and heroic nurses by saying
“thank you!“
I’m saying thank you,
too!
Victoria’s
DIARY
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
tweet me @vschneps
Nurses helped him be a great docter
“True heroism is remarkably sober,
very undramatic. It is not the urge
to surpass all others at whatever
cost, but the urge to serve others at
whatever cost.” — Arthur Ashe
My late husband Stu Yunis depended on his nurses
during his 50 years of practicing nephrology.
A thought of the week
I have a ritual at bedtime. I read until my eyes
are too tired to stay open another second. It’s
my gift to myself.
I have been reading the fascinating biography
of Winston Churchill’s early life. Th e biography
details how he grew up and takes
readers on his journey leading up to his
becoming one of the greatest heroes in
history.
Despite carrying on through a
loveless childhood — except for
his nanny — and barely making
it through college, he was a genius.
He hated most subjects, except history
and writing. His brilliant mind
helped navigate a war that saved our civilization
from the grips of Hitler.
Each day, we are making history. We are
living through terrifying times with a
hidden enemy all around us. We
are at “war,” and I fear it will be
a long one.
I sat this weekend on my
terrace taking in the warm
rays of sunshine — it warmed my soul. But as I looked
out into the garden, I knew that danger lurked all
around me. I couldn’t see the enemy but I know it’s
there. We must not let down our guard.
Too many friends have died these last few
months and more will be lost, so I try to fi nd
inspiration and guidance to get through these
terrible times.
A powerful source are my children
who protect me with their love. Another
source are the words of Winston
Churchill, a legendary leader who guided
the world with his wisdom.
Let me share one of his quotes:
“It is a mistake to try to look too far
ahead. Th e chain of destiny can
only be grasped one link at
a time.”
I also cherish and remember
the words of my dearest mom:
“Th is, too, shall pass.”
So my dear readers, be
patient and disciplined. Stay
home and be safe!
Renowned Martin Greenfifi eld Clothiers, who
dressed Obama, is now making masks and my
granddaughter Addy wears one proudly.
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