I am an R.N. on post partum. My father in law was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer Thanksgiving weekend. His treatment was going well. His tumors were shrinking. He had a CT scan the first week of May and everything was going much better than expected. The last Saturday in May, he came in to the E.R. He was admitted on the 6th floor for ascites. Sunday and Monday were great days. Dr. W. was discussing a new chemotherapy drug, and a possible discharge date of Wednesday, June 4. Tuesday brought more ascites, an attempt to tap, and a disappointing prognosis. There was no fluid to tap. On Wednesday morning, my father in law was confused. At noon the House Physician and Critical Care Physicians came to speak with my Mother in law. We got palliative care involved. He was unresponsive at 12:30 p.m. and he passed away that same day at 1647.

I want you to know how hard this was to be on the other side of this treatment plan. I was a family member, no longer a nurse. Amy Gambino was excellent. She went above and beyond her normal nursing duties. She was absolutely outstanding. Not only did she have a normal assignment, but now she had a patient dying. She was calming, soothing, helpful, cheerful, eager to do anything to help the family and most importantly, her patient. I can not express enough gratitude for the wonderful nursing care that he received. But, it wasn't just the nursing care.

Amy was kind-hearted, caring and so attentive. She really made his passing such a comfortable and seamless process. I have been an R.N. for 26 years and I was so very impressed with her level of care. It was all encompassing. She was so emotionally supportive to my husband's family. I am so happy to see such emotional maturity and caring in such a younger nurse. I even mentioned this story to my Nurse Manager. I know this story may not seem unique, but you must understand how this is seeing the death and dying process from the patient's family's perspective.