Breann Vandiver
March 2024
Breann
Vandiver
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Neuro Critical Care
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

In making the hard decisions, Breann was strong and supportive of my mom and me, explaining everything in a comforting way. Breann cared for us, making sure we were emotionally ok.
I absolutely loved witnessing the care Daddy received while Breann was his nurse. Daddy was intubated and not very responsive at the beginning of Breann's shift. I saw her make sure Daddy was comfortable and a priority. When other medical staff came in the room, Breann made sure she was also there to follow through with care plans and offer input to meet his needs. She made a difficult and scary situation more comfortable for my mom and me by explaining everything in a way we could understand with patience. Most important to me, she demonstrated respect and dignity to my dad. I heard her talk to Daddy, explaining everything she was doing and apologizing for any discomfort she may have caused, recognizing he was still 'in there.' She celebrated the movements and squeezes with my mom and me. Throughout the day Breann showed my mom and I compassion as it became a reality to my mom and I that Daddy was not going to overcome his stroke and live a quality life with stage 4 cancer. In making the hard decisions, Breann was strong and supportive of my mom and me, explaining everything in a comforting way. Breann cared for us, making sure we were emotionally ok. She gave strong hugs that showed she really cared for us, too. She went over and beyond to explain the ins and outs of the city environment, parking and getting us the family member services we needed. Something else really important, she listened and advocated for our family and close friends to visit and say see you later to Daddy before he passed away. Recognizing how important being able to do this was to my mom and me. Breann made it a point at the end of her shift to say goodbye to my dad. She then sought us out to hug us and say goodbye. That touched me in a way I can't explain. It made me feel cared for, supported, and loved. Breann has such a positive and uplifting aura about her, a gift that did not go unnoticed.