Harold Melendez Torres
August 2024
Harold
Melendez Torres
,
BSN, RN
Critical Care
Gulf Coast Medical Center
Fort Myers
,
FL
United States
Harold treated P with the utmost dignity and respect. He talked to him with every procedure, though he was sedated and intubated. He attended to not only the necessary medical interventions but also cared for his overall well-being and comfort.
My children's father, P, passed away after a brief and sudden illness. He had started treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in late February, and after his second cycle mid-March, he became very ill and went into DKA. I took him to Gulf Coast Medical Center ER. His subsequent hospitalization course was rocky, at best. He was transferred to the ICU after 4 days. His condition deteriorated, and he passed away. He was 53 years old. This is an immeasurable loss for his two children and for his parents, who have lost their only child. He was my former husband and friend of 33 years. He was loved by many.
P had a complex medical history. He was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia at the age of 21. He had additional autoimmune disorders, and while he had periods of remission from his illnesses, he was no stranger to hospitalizations and previous life-threatening health crises. However, until now, he always persevered. No one can truly anticipate the loss of someone so young. One night in the ICU, P was in the care of his primary nurse, Harold.
By far, Harold is the most compassionate, caring, and competent caregiver that P had during this final hospitalization. In fact, having been by P's side for many previous hospitalizations over a 20+ year period, I can honestly say that Harold is the best caregiver P has ever had. What a blessing that he was assigned to us on the most difficult night of our lives. P's condition was grave, and he was placed as a DNR. He was receiving all possible life-saving measures, but the prognosis was grim. Harold cared for him and us as a family unit with respect, understanding, and expertise. I have been an RN for 28 years. On this night, I wasn't a nurse, I was a loved one, in despair. Harold explained everything that he was doing, the goals and possible outcomes. He was honest with everything, no matter how difficult. He was attentive and answered every question patiently for P's son and mother, who are not medical, as they were understandably scared. More importantly, he treated P with the utmost dignity and respect. He talked to him with every procedure, though he was sedated and intubated. He attended to not only the necessary medical interventions but also cared for his overall well-being and comfort. I have observed medical bias, due to P's complex medical issues and co-morbidities. But in his final hours, P was treated with incredible compassion. Harold cared for him, not just as the "patient", but as the son, the father, the friend and the loved one that he was.
When the time came to make the decision to stop treatment for end-of-life care, Harold guided and supported us through the process, and P's passing was very peaceful. Healthcare today is facing a lot of challenges. There were periods of real frustration through this experience. Rather than dwell on anything negative, I hope to focus on the positive and highlight the good. Our family has so much appreciation for Harold. He is the epitome of what Nursing has always meant to me...it's not just the science and tasks, of providing complex care, that define you as a Nurse, it’s the art of compassion that makes a profound difference to patients and their families.
P had a complex medical history. He was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia at the age of 21. He had additional autoimmune disorders, and while he had periods of remission from his illnesses, he was no stranger to hospitalizations and previous life-threatening health crises. However, until now, he always persevered. No one can truly anticipate the loss of someone so young. One night in the ICU, P was in the care of his primary nurse, Harold.
By far, Harold is the most compassionate, caring, and competent caregiver that P had during this final hospitalization. In fact, having been by P's side for many previous hospitalizations over a 20+ year period, I can honestly say that Harold is the best caregiver P has ever had. What a blessing that he was assigned to us on the most difficult night of our lives. P's condition was grave, and he was placed as a DNR. He was receiving all possible life-saving measures, but the prognosis was grim. Harold cared for him and us as a family unit with respect, understanding, and expertise. I have been an RN for 28 years. On this night, I wasn't a nurse, I was a loved one, in despair. Harold explained everything that he was doing, the goals and possible outcomes. He was honest with everything, no matter how difficult. He was attentive and answered every question patiently for P's son and mother, who are not medical, as they were understandably scared. More importantly, he treated P with the utmost dignity and respect. He talked to him with every procedure, though he was sedated and intubated. He attended to not only the necessary medical interventions but also cared for his overall well-being and comfort. I have observed medical bias, due to P's complex medical issues and co-morbidities. But in his final hours, P was treated with incredible compassion. Harold cared for him, not just as the "patient", but as the son, the father, the friend and the loved one that he was.
When the time came to make the decision to stop treatment for end-of-life care, Harold guided and supported us through the process, and P's passing was very peaceful. Healthcare today is facing a lot of challenges. There were periods of real frustration through this experience. Rather than dwell on anything negative, I hope to focus on the positive and highlight the good. Our family has so much appreciation for Harold. He is the epitome of what Nursing has always meant to me...it's not just the science and tasks, of providing complex care, that define you as a Nurse, it’s the art of compassion that makes a profound difference to patients and their families.