Chris was the nurse for a patient in his 50s who was dying of terminal cancer. This patient knew his life was rapidly coming to an end and could be very difficult to care for, sometimes losing patience with the staff. One day, this patient asked Chris and his CNA if they could assist him to shower the next day. He told them that his long-lost love, “the one that got away”, was traveling across the country to see him. This by all counts would be their final goodbye. Chris collaborated with his CNA and assured the patient, “We’ve got you, bro”. Chris went home that night and brought a new mini cologne spray that had accompanied a previous purchase back with him to the hospital for his patient to use. The next day he and the CNA gave this patient the full man-spa grooming treatment, complete with cologne in preparation for being reunited with his love.

This example of kindness and dignity for a patient who had lost almost all of his independence was phenomenal. Treating him like just one of the guys and going above and beyond so he felt confident and could forget his body was failing him was made possible by the time and compassion Chris showed his patient. Sometimes it’s the very little things that actually are the biggest things.