The very first time my husband and I stepped into the Thomas Palliative Care Unit, we knew my father-in-law was in good hands. In fact, he was in the best hands – those of Dawn Quinn, RN. To say that we were scared would be an understatement but throughout Dad’s stay on the unit, Dawn eased our worries with an amazing balance of humor and compassion. In very simple and honest terms, Dawn helped us understand Dad’s medical status and the role the Palliative Care team would take in keeping him comfortable and safe. Even on days when she was not assigned to care for Dad, Dawn would always take the time to speak with us when we visited.
Dad and Dawn spoke often and she told us that he confided to her about things that worried him. I know that just talking about those things with a non-family member was a great relief to him. The day before Dad was discharged, Dawn spoke to me about what to expect as he drew closer to death. She shared some of his concerns with me but she never betrayed his confidence. We also shared some tears.
As my father-in-law continues his journey, my husband and I have remembered things that Dawn shared with us – tidbits of advice and medical explanations for these troubling symptoms. We will always appreciate the way she treated us and the way she provided honest answers to difficult questions. Mostly though, we will always appreciate the way she treated Dad: with the respect and compassion that only a truly extraordinary caregiver can provide.