During COVID, my dad was transferred from a local skilled nursing facility to the ER at Baylor McKinney. I frantically called to check on him as it was the first day that visitors were not allowed at all for the 2nd round of restrictions. Cherise was his nurse. She immediately took all the information I could give her so that, in the midst of a busy day of record COVID cases coming in, she could get him where he needed to go quickly. She acted as if my dad were her top priority. I was so confident that he was in good hands that I got teary talking to her and burst into tears of relief when I hung up the phone.
My dad is elderly and doesn't have a lot of time left, but I will never forget the nurse, whom I have yet to meet, who took the time to ensure that he got taken care of quickly and had his intense pain addressed. It has allowed us some extra time to focus on him and make good decisions for him. It helped my frustration and sadness turn into peace knowing that someone was taking on the role of the only daughter to a great man who deserved the time and attention and care she gave to him - a veteran and retired healthcare worker himself. I have no doubt that Cherise helped save his life and gave him some extra time with his grandsons and me, his daughter. This is something that no amount of money could purchase. I have a sense of calm now knowing that he will be able to not die in pain and anxiety or without his family there to see him off.