Recently there was a patient diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. She was in her 30's, married, and a mother of a two-year-old girl. Hayley was her nurse for several days and quickly formed a bond with the patient and her husband. The neuro oncologist came and told the patient she only had a few days to weeks to live. After meeting with palliative care team, the patient made the difficult decision to make herself hospice. During a conversation, the patient expressed a desire to see her daughter since she had not seen her since being admitted to the CCU. Hayley promised the patient she would not only be able to see her daughter, but that she would help to change the focus of a scary hospital room to a positive and memorable interaction. Hayley went to the gift store and purchased a book titled "I love you mommy" and a stuffed animal for the patient to give her daughter during the visit. It was a success!
Hayley continued to give emotional support to the patient and her family. The patient lived three hours away and knew she would not be able to make the ride home. By the way, the patient is a nurse. Even though the patient wanted to stay at GSAM, Hayley encouraged her to look at a nearby hospice house where she could spend time with her family. After showing her pictures of the hospice house, which had a nice patio that would allow her to sit outside and had a playroom for her daughter, the patient then made the decision to go there. The patient's husband informed Hayley two days later that she did spend some time on the patio in the sunshine visiting her family and watched her daughter play, but later that day passed away peacefully. It is Hayley's compassion and commitment to her patients that helped this family through a difficult time. It was the little things Hayley did to help make the last days of this young mother's life the best they could be. Hayley is an extraordinary nurse with a big heart and I am very proud to work beside her.