My 98-year-old Dad entered the ER a very ill man. We had an amazing experience in the ER. He was moved to ICU for one day then moved to another room on the COVID wing. He had a couple of good days, eating well and enjoying his PT and OT. By Wednesday, he took a downward turn as we were advised of by the nurses and that was common for COVID patients. They gave us some choices to think about and encouraged one particular hospital geared for intense physical therapy.

By Friday and Saturday, my dad was so, so ill, he did not want to eat and expressed to us several times he wanted to die. As a family, we felt our choices were very limited so we decided to discuss what we felt might be possible options for him. My sister and I and our children and some grandchildren were to meet at 3 pm. I went to see Dad that Sunday morning as I had every day since he was admitted. He still was so terribly ill. I was surprised to see a nurse in his room with him. Well, after that nurse, entered the Angel!

Cindy Mohatt came in to check on Dad and sat down with me for a visit. More like a friend telling me how his night had gone and asked me how I was feeling about his condition. I told her that we talked to palliative care and the social worker and that we were having the family meeting in the afternoon. At that time, Cindy offered the option of Comfort Care. First time I had heard of it. She explained how the oxygen could be weaned off of him, that he would be kept comfortable and not suffer and not have any pain. Well, as a Hospice volunteer, I am very aware of how important all that is to the loved one and the family. We didn’t know that we could get that care right there at the hospital without having to move him to either another facility or to his actual home, which we were not equipped to care for him.

I called my sister immediately and informed her of the Angel’s (Cindy) offering. We decided not to wait till the afternoon so we called for the family to come ASAP. Meantime, Dad was coherent and asked when he could “go.” After Cindy sat with us and explained what Comfort Care could do for this dear man, it was decided that we would move forward after the last family member arrived. Cindy was so kind, patient, soft-spoken, and took us through everything step-by-step. She ordered sandwiches, chips, soda, and water. We weren’t expecting that and it was appreciated. She made us feel like Dad had his own private nurse because she was so concerned and cared so much about his well–being. She listened to us talking about his life and encouraged us to talk about him and with him. She chimed in a time or two and actually suggested that we play some music.

At about 3 pm, Dad was taken off his oxygen as we requested. He was given meds to keep him calm and pain-free. Cindy carried us through every step of the way, explaining to us and to Dad what was going on. She even came in when the Chaplain came in to lift us up in prayer. Around 4:30 pm or a little after, Dad took his last breath and he was so peaceful. Cindy made this all happen for us. Had she not discussed the Comfort Care to me, the family would have tried to figure out how to keep him alive rather than realizing that we had another choice and that was to let him go and let him go on his terms and be at peace.

Our Angel saved us so much stress and complicated discussions on what direction to turn. She will have a special place in my heart always. In fact, she would be someone I would call my friend. You have a special lady there. She has a gift and she handed it to me and my family.