Our 80-year-old friend and mother were admitted to the hospital in August. She had multiple infections, including a severe UTI and pneumonia in both lungs. After a few days, she took a sudden turn for the worst. After several hours, she continued to decline, and comfort care was instituted. Amanda was amazing. She explained every step and option to us as the night went on. She was kind and professional during this time. She would speak to my friend in such a loving, compassionate voice and gentle touch. You could tell that she wanted to soothe her patient. She continually checked on us, as well as her patient. No question was left unanswered. She truly felt like part of the family. Before leaving at the end of the shift, she brought the next nurse in and introduced us. Coffee, tea, and light snacks were brought in for us, so we didn’t have to leave the room. She hugged each of us before she left and wished us well. We told her how wonderful she had been with us, and she was truly touched. Kindness, compassion, and her ability to help us understand each stage of her care and the options we had as my friend continued on her journey allowed us to make decisions that kept our beloved S comfortable and at peace through her whole shift. She was an angel, guiding us through the steps of my friend’s death. Amanda is a truly amazing nurse.

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Our mother was moved to end of life, palliative care. The nurses and doctors on her unit were extraordinary with our family. These two nurses were assigned to the last two shifts of my mother’s life. They both explained everything so well, comforted us, we’re gentle, loving, attentive, and respectful with my mother, and even took the time to look at pictures of my mom when she was younger and listen to our memories of her. They hugged us and held our hands. My sister and I, and the rest of our family that was there, could not have imagined going through this with anyone less than Amanda and her colleague. When palliative care began on Sunday afternoon and the staff rolled in the little coffee and snack table we were so moved by that gesture. Truly, the whole experience touched all of our hearts, and we are so grateful for the care provided not just to our mom but to us as a grieving family. You gave us the gift of knowing that we gave our Mom a peaceful, painless passing and that she, and we, were surrounded by love. Thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts.