Charo Servin, RN

We need to tell the world about an angel we met the day we lost our mother. Charo was on the day shift at Riverside University Medical Center. Our mom had pancreatic cancer that was strangling her vascular system. She had made it extremely clear to our family that she wanted to go without medical heroics. Mom had been admitted through the emergency room the night before and was transferred to ICU. We arrived that morning and knew mom would not be happy about the tubes, medicines, etc. We began to realize that our mom really was not coming back to us. It hit hard and it was frightening. Mom’s nurse, Charo, tended to her with kindness and respect. Charo would check mom’s vitals, and as she left would reassure us that she was “right outside the door”. She picked up on the needs of the daughters of her patient. Our questions about what to expect as our mother’s body shut down were answered honestly and with sensitivity. We were encouraged to talk with our mom. We reminisced and shared memories. We laughed and cried. Although Charo was busy with other patients, she would take the time to listen and enjoy a ‘mom story’. Charo was with us when mom passed, and she graciously accompanied us through a difficult time. Charo admirably helped our mother pass to the other side with grace.