It is obvious that nursing is Angel's calling. Since day one, he has excelled in developing relationships with his patients and making personal connections. During Nurse Leader rounds, there is not a single day when one of Angel's patients doesn't rave about how wonderful he has been to them and how he truly is "their angel". One patient even went as far as to say she wanted to "bronze" him, so she can take him home with her! Whether it be because of his patience and compassion, going out of his way to replace lost belongings out of his own pocket, or simply spending time with them, Angel is always a favorite.
I had the privilege last week of helping B, who has been a patient on your floor for several weeks. He went to a hospice care center this past weekend and died around 5 pm on Sunday. I just spoke by phone with his sister. She asked me to let all of you on the 6th floor know how thankful and grateful their family is for the exceptional and compassionate care B received.
It was difficult for B to come to a place of peace with letting go and making the decision to cease treatment, but I believe he felt that peace on Friday morning after our visit. His sister told me that shortly before B stopped communicating with his family at the hospice house that he said to them, "I'm glad to be here, but I miss 'my family' at the hospital."
His sister mentioned one RN specifically. It was Angel Sanchez. B was Angel's patient on Friday, and it was obvious that B felt safe and comfortable with him. As I was ending a lengthy visit with B on Friday, Angel came into the room. I asked B if I could share with Angel some of our conversation, and he agreed. While I held B's left hand and Angel his right, I shared with Angel some of the details that B and I had discussed about making choices at end of life.
B then told us he had made his decision about what he wanted to do and would I let his case manager, know that he wished to speak with him. I assured him I would do that. B began to cry.
Thankfully, Angel did not say a word but just continued to hold B's hand as I did. I say thankfully because most of the time, it makes people anxious and uncomfortable when someone cries. And out of our own discomfort, we sometimes say things, meaning well, but our words ... any words ... shut down the one in grief and robs him of the God-given need to cry.
So when Angel said not a word along with me for what must have been a couple of minutes of silence as B released his tears, I was so impressed with Angel's compassion and moved by what was indeed a sacred moment in this patient's life. He had at last reached a place of peace with his end-of-life and the heaviness of that burden he finally released flowed out in tears. I was keenly aware of how important it was in that moment for B to be given the space and time needed in the presence of someone he felt safe with to cry.
Kudos to you, Angel, for your gift of silence in those minutes that carried more healing and grace than any words ever would have! It was a privilege to be a part of that patient's life in that moment with you!