August 2023 Honoree
Guerdie Nonez, RN
His name was C. He was an elderly gentleman I met while I was a visiting nurse. Once I discharged him, I continued to visit weekly because he needed help and I lived nearby. That quickly turned into 7 years. 7 years of walking his dog, filling his pill boxes, making sure he got to his doctor appointments, and picking up his sometimes 10 phone calls a day. I considered him to be an adopted grandfather at that point! As his ability to care for himself declined we got him into an assisted living facility.
One day, I received a phone call that he was being transferred to HMC for shortness of breath. I met him in the ED and quickly realized this was different than any other time. He was barely coherent and in a lot of distress. His condition continued to decline and after talking with the physicians, we placed C on palliative care. That Friday he was transferred to 4 South.
He was visibly uncomfortable. A few minutes after he got into his room his nurse walked in, Guerdie Nonez. Even with her mask on I could tell she was smiling as she greeted me. She took one look at C and said, “He is not comfortable, we’re going to do something about this.” I felt immediate relief. She reached out to his physician to have his morphine increased to a safe and effective amount, she suctioned his mouth, and we got him repositioned in bed.
She had a warmth about her and I knew he was in good hands. Before I left that day, I looked at C for what I knew would be the last time. There was no distress. He was comfortable. He passed later that day. I believe he was able to let go because of the peace provided to him through Guerdie’s care. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
One day, I received a phone call that he was being transferred to HMC for shortness of breath. I met him in the ED and quickly realized this was different than any other time. He was barely coherent and in a lot of distress. His condition continued to decline and after talking with the physicians, we placed C on palliative care. That Friday he was transferred to 4 South.
He was visibly uncomfortable. A few minutes after he got into his room his nurse walked in, Guerdie Nonez. Even with her mask on I could tell she was smiling as she greeted me. She took one look at C and said, “He is not comfortable, we’re going to do something about this.” I felt immediate relief. She reached out to his physician to have his morphine increased to a safe and effective amount, she suctioned his mouth, and we got him repositioned in bed.
She had a warmth about her and I knew he was in good hands. Before I left that day, I looked at C for what I knew would be the last time. There was no distress. He was comfortable. He passed later that day. I believe he was able to let go because of the peace provided to him through Guerdie’s care. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you, Guerdie, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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