August 2021
Chelsea
Kolkow
,
BSN, RN
Intermediate Care
UPMC Health System
Harrisburg
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

This nurse provided the light this patient needed in his final days of life.
At his sickest moments, this COVID (+) patient wanted to 'tie things up' at the end of life. Struggling to breathe, he was working diligently to get his personal belongings and finances figured out in hopes of making his family’s life a bit easier. When taking a break from divvying out his possessions his one request was to read his large text Bible as this helped calm him. Unable to obtain his large text Bible, we reached out to pastoral care. While waiting for a response from pastoral care, this nurse told the patient she had been working on memorizing John 1 as part of her Small Group, and she was willing to recite if he was willing to listen. A sense of relief swept across his face, and the moment of deep breaths, peace, and fresh air filled the room. This nurse provided the light this patient needed in his final days of life. Although not the large text Bible he requested, she shared the word of the Lord in this patient’s time of need.