Erin blessed a family with her amazing warmth and care during one of the darkest days of their son's journey. That morning L was having trouble breathing. His respiratory rate and heart rate were very fast and his oxygen saturation was the lowest it had ever been- and he was very uncomfortable. He was full of fluids that were so thick and he was so weak, he was unable to clear them with a cough. It was one of the darkest days for the family as they knew their son was struggling. They brought L into the ER and from there they were admitted to Pediatrics. Erin worked so hard to collaborate with respiratory therapy and the doctor to help L. They discussed all the possibilities of medications, nebs, and suctioning treatments that would help L and help thin the secretions so they could help him breathe easier. It was L's worst day on his cancer journey. You could tell by looking at him how miserable he was- and Erin worked diligently to get him comfortable.
Her nursing care didn't stop there. She was very comforting to the parents. Although she knows the mom has a medical background, she walked through each treatment and medication with them- to explain what he was getting and why. Often times when people have a medical background, it is assumed that you know what is being done and why. But Erin recognized at that moment what they needed. She knew at that moment that L's mom was a mother first and worked so hard to comfort her and her husband in any way she could.
Erin was so tender with the care she gave to L. When we circled him with our pastor and prayed, Erin, didn't hesitate to pray with us. If she needed to step out of the room, we always knew when she would be back. She was never far and always kept her word. When thanking Erin for her care, her response was "it's my pleasure." Often times in nursing, it is easy to forget what a true gift it is that we give our patients every day for caring for them. I wanted to make sure Erin knows that she was a true gift that day, although I know Erin felt she was the one who received the gift of being touched by L's light. Erin said at one point, "I never imagined that my life would be forever changed in just four hours and I am so thankful to have gotten to care for L." But Erin changed our lives that day too. She was a great reminder of how even the little things can bring comfort to people in the darkest days and that no matter how small a gesture is sometimes it can make all the difference. Thank you, Erin, for your amazing care.