Recently, a patient came into the MICU for additional ventilator support, in which her course was very complex and unfortunate. This patient in particular was a 33-year-old female with a complicated medical history diagnosed with a disease at 20 years old: Ewing’s Sarcoma. This patient, H, was a mom to a young seven-year-old "I", married to a wonderful man and has been in and out of the hospital her whole life. Since her admission to the MICU, Caroline spent many nights as her RN and interacted with not only H but also her family. One night, I witnessed something so special from Caroline that I think she needs to be recognized for it. 
    
H, obviously anxious, uneasy, and restless, intubated and lying in her ICU bed with her 7-year-old daughter and husband by her side, was awaiting the night to pass for in the morning she would go to the OR for a tracheostomy. H was trying to remain calm for her family. Caroline, happy, excited to be at work, willing to help anyone whenever she could, and determined to make a difference showed not only me but H and her family what it means to care and be present. Watching from the corner, the interactions that occurred between Caroline and H’s family amazed me at the care she was providing and the impact she was making on her patient’s life without even noticing. Heather’s daughter was no stranger to being in the hospital with her mom, but of course, she was scared. 

Her mom was not only intubated and couldn’t communicate with her words only by text and gestures but was also fighting for her life. Caroline had gone into the room many times this night, but at this time, it was for the purpose of completing her bath for the night. "I" was shy but spoke out to her father, saying she wanted to help Caroline with the bath. Caroline immediately heard this and took it a whole step further. Caroline spoke with "I" and told her what supplies they were going to get, what steps they were going to take and how they were going to get her mom all pretty. "I" put on gloves with the help of Caroline, filled a basin full of water and soap, and washed her mom up. After getting a new gown, Caroline taught "I" how to tuck linens under her mom, the purpose of each step and part of the bath, and did everything with grace. 
    
After turning and tucking in new lines under her mom, getting her all-sparkly clean, H wanted a pillow under each hip to float her between them. Caroline taught "I" how to put the pillows in and helped guide her hands putting the pillows under her hip. After H was comfortable lying in bed, Caroline needed to listen to her heart and lungs. Caroline cleaned her stethoscope, asked if she wanted to listen to her mom’s heart, and placed the stethoscope while "I" listened. "I's" and H’s faces both lit up, as this was such a special moment for both. Caroling supported "I’s" passion for being a nurse and told her that she was going to grow to be an amazing nurse and that she could do anything with her positive attitude. Seeing her daughter with that much joy really helped H get through the night. H was so thankful for everything Caroline did for not only her but also for her family. She could not express how grateful she was.