Amanda Papaleo provided exceptional care to my mother during her stay in the MICU. Mom arrived in the MICU due to kidney failure, low blood pressure, and other complications from her advanced stage endometrial cancer. Caring for Mom was extremely complex because her disease was terminal and required care from medical professionals in several different disciplines oncology, nephrology, hematology, infectious disease, palliative care, dietitians, etc.
Mom and her support system/advocates required objective information and advice for her to make the best, informed decisions possible, while also being mindful of her emotional well-being throughout the process. Amanda rose to the occasion and helped coordinate and provide the exceptionally difficult care that Mom required. Rather than keeping her distance from a terminally ill patient, Amanda developed a genuine friendship with Mom even though she knew it meant that she would lose a friend.
Day after day she ensured that she was Mom's nurse. With this relationship, continuity of care, and her wonderful personality, Amanda was able to provide Mom with meaningful emotional support, as well as information, advice, and care from a trusted source. Mom saw many, many medical professionals in the MICU and at times received mixed signals about her condition and care that were confusing or even upsetting. Amanda was the familiar face during her final days that helped her navigate all the complex information and repeatedly communicate the information to family and many other visitors that came to see her.
Mom maintained a sound mind until the end and ultimately made the difficult decision to go to hospice care for her last days. We feel confident that she made the right decision at the right time, thanks to the entire team at the Cleveland Clinic. Mom's condition was terminal and by the decision to go hospice in a timely manner we were able to provide exceptional end of life comfort care and avoid the risk of her death through a traumatic, upsetting, and potentially painful event.
Amanda was particularly helpful to Mom and her support system as she made the decision. I was extremely impressed with how Amanda clearly, concisely, and compassionately explained to Mom her condition, the relevant information, and her options. Mom was always upbeat and had a positive disposition, but she had additional comfort knowing that we did everything possible to fight her cancer and provided the best possible end of life comfort care.
Amanda even took her own time to come visit Mom and our family in hospice after she left the ICU. We met many wonderful medical professionals during Mom's fight with cancer, but Amanda stands out from the rest. The Cleveland Clinic should be proud of her and know that she is talented and passionate about providing exceptional care to her patients.