My mom was admitted on 7NE and Casey was one of her most frequent nurses. Throughout my mom's stay, we found out that she was towards the end of her life and needed to be put on hospice/comfort care, and Casey was somebody who made it feel like she was there for us as a family as we navigate what that meant moving forward. One of the things that was most important to my mom was making sure she was able to celebrate her birthday. When we showed up at the hospital, Casey had my mom cleaned up, her hair done and the nursing staff decorated her room. My mom looked beautiful, and you could see that she felt so good after getting her hair done and taking a bath. It was so important to us that she felt good at her birthday party. The nursing staff also bought my mom her favorite cake and a birthday card signed by all of them, and it was so heartwarming to see my mom smile.

We as a family have spent countless nights and days in the hospital spending time with my mom, and Casey always went out of her way to ensure that we were also taken care of, even if she wasn't my mom's nurse. She would peek into the family room to ask if we needed anything, she would go into my mom's room to sit and chat with her, and I know how special that made my mom feel.

Tonight, my brother and I went into my mom's room, and we found Casey sitting next to my mom, and she brought in a stuffed animal for her. It was a pickle and my mom loves her pickles! We listened to Casey speak with my mom about how she was out buying things for herself on her off time, and she saw something that reminded her that my mom meant the absolute world to my brother and me. We saw how much Casey cared about my mom and I know she carries that compassion to all her other patients.

My family is going through something so difficult and heartbreaking as we await the end of my mom's life. It has been such a blessing to have a nursing staff care for her just as much as we do. Especially Casey. We have been so incredibly lucky and blessed that Casey was able to care for my mom in her time of need and also care for us as we spend many hours in the hospital. Knowing that she cared for my mom the way she did puts our minds at ease as we leave there for the night. Sanford is incredibly lucky to have Casey as a nurse. She is sweet, compassionate and thoughtful. She made us feel like we were cared for and heard. She made my mom smile, laugh and feel like she was truly cared about. Throughout this whole process, Casey was god sent to myself and my family. Our gratitude towards her will live on forever, and I know my mom feels the same way.