May 2024
Erin
Henrichs
,
MSN, RN
Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
University of Iowa Health Care
Iowa City
,
IA
United States
Erin gathered her coworkers, and they decorated his entire room in Yankee signs/swag. Additionally, she ordered 'ballpark' hot dogs and shakes from a local restaurant to be delivered during the game.
The patient was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The patient opted to pursue treatment with the understanding that it would not be a cure but would afford him a bit more time with his family. As an avid New York Yankees fan, he always looks forward to baseball's MLB opening day. With this in mind, he had planned to attend in person with his son, his only child. Unfortunately, his cancer derailed that plan by progressing quickly toward end of life. Thus, the modified plan involved his son flying in from Florida to watch the Yankees play on opening day from my laptop computer in his ICU room. His night nurse, Erin Henrichs, gathered her coworkers, and they decorated his entire room in Yankee signs/swag. Additionally, she ordered 'ballpark' hot dogs and shakes from a local restaurant to be delivered during the game. This simple celebratory measure was met with tears and joy by the patient, his wife, and his son. It will likely be the last game this man enjoys. Erin ensured that it would be special and memorable for the whole family.