Becca Terry
November 2020
Becca
Terry
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center
I'm writing to thank you for your love, compassion, grace, and understanding with him and our family. This thank you will never be enough to let you know the love, thankfulness, and honor it was to be with him in his final hours.
My father-in-law came to St. Francis by ambulance with what we assumed was another UTI and dehydration. My mother-in-law was there with him and within two hours, the doctor had called for hospice. When he arrived at the hospital, she was the only person allowed to be with him. Since all the children assumed he would get medicine and fluids and be sent home, I had told the family since my schedule allowed, I would go to the hospital and they could all go to work. Needless to say, this diagnosis was very shocking and it moved so quickly.
Once the word "hospice" was spoken, everything changed. Over the past seven months, all we have heard and seen on the news is people were alone and unable to have their family with them as they were leaving this life. I'm writing to thank you for your love, compassion, grace, and understanding with him and our family. This thank you will never be enough to let you know the love, thankfulness, and honor it was to be with him in his final hours. I remember standing with you as you hugged me and I questioned a few things that were going on with him and you said, "this is changing very quickly." You called for the doctor and permission was given to all of his children, their spouses, and some adult grandchildren to be with him as we waited for the ambulance to take him home that evening. The opportunity for him to tell each of us he loved us will be something we can all carry in our hearts and memories as we learn to live without him in our lives. He passed several hours later at home.
Words can't express my thanks. But, to know that he and his family were able to say what they needed to say and be with him in his final hours is so perfect. I thank you again.
***
I work with Becca and have had the pleasure of watching her learn and grow as an RN since she was a student. Becca routinely has patients who remember and thank her for her compassionate care. Becca recently received this letter from a family member who obviously felt that she made a tremendous impact in the care of their loved one. Becca stayed several hours after her shift with this family while they awaited transport home. I am grateful that she shared this letter with me as I feel she deserves more recognition for making a difference - for this family and every day.
Once the word "hospice" was spoken, everything changed. Over the past seven months, all we have heard and seen on the news is people were alone and unable to have their family with them as they were leaving this life. I'm writing to thank you for your love, compassion, grace, and understanding with him and our family. This thank you will never be enough to let you know the love, thankfulness, and honor it was to be with him in his final hours. I remember standing with you as you hugged me and I questioned a few things that were going on with him and you said, "this is changing very quickly." You called for the doctor and permission was given to all of his children, their spouses, and some adult grandchildren to be with him as we waited for the ambulance to take him home that evening. The opportunity for him to tell each of us he loved us will be something we can all carry in our hearts and memories as we learn to live without him in our lives. He passed several hours later at home.
Words can't express my thanks. But, to know that he and his family were able to say what they needed to say and be with him in his final hours is so perfect. I thank you again.
***
I work with Becca and have had the pleasure of watching her learn and grow as an RN since she was a student. Becca routinely has patients who remember and thank her for her compassionate care. Becca recently received this letter from a family member who obviously felt that she made a tremendous impact in the care of their loved one. Becca stayed several hours after her shift with this family while they awaited transport home. I am grateful that she shared this letter with me as I feel she deserves more recognition for making a difference - for this family and every day.