It is with a heavy and broken heart, along with the greatest respect and admiration and more love than imaginable, that I write to you tonight. You see, my daddy was in your unit for 10 days, except for a few hours on one day, when he went to the step-down unit.
All of the nurses were on top of it. Couldn't have asked for more sweet, nice, polite, understanding, compassionate girls. However, there was one who touched my heart and soul. Courtney Varnell. This girl is an angel! I "met" Courtney on the phone first. I honestly don't know where to begin. Courtney is just an angel. She will forever hold a most special place in my heart and life! In and around 6:15-6:30 pm, I had called to check on my daddy or the doctor has called me- I can't remember which. Either way, it was that my daddy was not doing well at all off the ventilator and they were expecting a bad outcome. So, I asked if they could put me through to his room so that I could "be with him" when he passed. No problem, they did. But after a short time, someone accidently hung up daddy's phone, not knowing I was talking to him.
I immediately called back in a panic and Courtney answered. In detail, I explained the situation because she had just started her shift. Immediately, Courtney got me calmed down and transferred my call back to daddy. This was around 7:15pm. I noticed that the entire time I was talking to my daddy, I kept hearing scuffling type noises and I knew that my daddy was being fidgety and was moving about and the phone was being shaken about. What else could it be right? It was Courtney. She told me that she held the phone for daddy the entire time!! I had no clue anybody was in that room with my daddy, except God. I don't know this girl, but, I love her with all I am!!! Knowing that she stayed with my daddy for the entire conversation, which was a little over 2 hours is the greatest gift. To know that my daddy did not pass away by himself brings me the most comfort and peace.
I just can't pull into words the love, respect, and gratitude I have for this girl! It's unexplainable and indescribable. And that's not all, Courtney told me she was holding my daddy's hand when he passed away. I write this with tears in my eyes. To know that as my daddy lay in that bed, unable to talk with me, he heard my voice and felt her hand. That!!!! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Courtney! I didn't ask her for anything but to transfer my call so that I could "be" with my daddy when he took his last breath. She took it upon herself to stay with him, comfort him and hold his hand for me. You see, first I'm an only child and a die hard daddy's girl and also a cancer patient. Not one time did I get to see him. I am thankful God placed Courtney in his room that Friday night. Bless Courtney! She is my forever hero!!