My healthy 93-year-old Grandpa was admitted to AGH with a brain bleed and COVID. His status was getting worse. They were concerned about a clot in his lungs, but due to a bleed from his fall, they couldn't give him the treatment he would have needed. His respiratory status was grim, and the decision of comfort only was made. Being a Nurse myself, you never want your patients or loved ones to suffer, to be alone, or to be scared. We were asked if we would like to visit, but due to his COVID status and efforts to keep our other family members safe, we chose a Zoom call. That Thursday evening, the family gathered via Zoom to talk to my Grandpa for what would have been the last time. Thursday turned into Friday and he was still hanging on. Then came Saturday night, and our family was blessed with a Nurse named Annie. She was an Irish Catholic just like my grandpa, who cherished his Irish heritage and was a devoted Catholic. Annie recognized that his status was not good. She called her mom to say an extra prayer for her patient, who she did not believe would make it through her shift. Annie called the Hospice Nurse to ensure his meds were what they needed to be to provide the upmost comfort in his final hours. She entered his room, removed all the unnecessary tubes and wires that may have agitated him, and tucked him in with his blanket, held his hand, and prayed with him as he took his final breath. At 3:06am on January 24th, he recieved his angel wings.
Annie exemplifies what it means to be a Nurse. Annie has a heart of gold and should be recognized for her compassion and love for her patients. Annie was a true godsend to our family and became part of our family that night when she ensured my Grandpa did not pass alone. We are forever grateful for her and the work she does. One could say, "she was just doing her job", but this is above-and-beyond doing her job. Annie embraced my Grandpa as one of her own and showed him love, just like any one of his family members would have.