My Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma 4 short months ago. The Doctors explained to us that his type of Lymphoma was extremely aggressive and he had to act fast if he wanted any chance to beat it. He immediately began receiving chemo treatments. He received them so often, that it seemed he was in the hospital more than he was home. He fought hard and did it with a smile on his face and without complaint. We were even teased with a clear PET scan showing that all of the tumors that he had were gone. But, his cancer was tricky and hid places that a PET scan wouldn’t catch.

During his last hospital stay before he passed away, he had gotten moved from the ER to CCU, to the 7th floor, then to the 5th floor, and finally down in the ICU at the Baptist Little Rock Hospital. During this time, we learned that the cancer had moved up into his spinal fluid and was working hard to spread. His neurological state began to decline and he was unable to speak or understand what was going on. My dad spent three weeks in the hospital, still fighting as hard as he could, even down to his last breath. On his last day in the ICU, his nurse was a nurse we had not met before, Alexis.

When my mom, sister, and I began that day, we knew that we were going to begin palliative care for my Dad. We were emotional wrecks. I am sure Alexis could tell how upset we were, but she was so patient with us making sure that we understood what was going on and that we had everything we needed to make the process as easy as possible. She was so gentle with my Dad. She talked to him so sweetly every time she came in the room, explaining to him what she was doing each time she gave him medicine or a shot or anything else, even though his neurological state had put him in a position where he did not know or understand what was happening.

She talked us through the entire process and let us know that he would not be uncomfortable at all. She treated him with dignity, respect, and love as if he were her own family member. She also provided us with the comfort and care we needed during that hard time. Later, as we had to leave my dad's body behind, we were thanking and complimenting Alexis for her amazing work and she disclosed to us, that this was her first death to deal with as a nurse. We told her she had found a true calling. She was so kind, compassionate, and caring, and was a model nurse.

We want Alexis to be awarded so she can always be reminded that the nurse she was that day, is the nurse that she and every other nurse should strive to be like. Thank you Alexis for taking care of my Daddy and my family. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.