I was a newer RN grad of 1.5 years. My patient was a man in his 70's, diagnosed with cancer. He was my very first DNR patient, and seemed to be in fairly good condition at the time. But when I went in his room to check on him, he was having trouble catching his breath. Death seemed imminent. I uselessly grabbed a nasal cannula and hooked it up to oxygen, as I slowly watched him dying. It was a dumb move on my part - without the drive to breathe, oxygen wasn't going to do anything. But it was all I had available, since he was DNR. He passed within 3 minutes. I was devastated by the need to bring him back, but legally unable to. Folks, if you think RN's don't care - we do! I've thought of him often in the past 30+ years, and I can't help but feel that I let him down. I'll never forget him. He did have a peaceful passing, but I wanted so badly to save him. Guido, I will never forget you.