On my day off I was at the grocery store, when I noticed Jewel in her scrubs, waiting to check out. I approached her to say hi and ask how her night went. She explained that two of her patients were newly diagnosed with cancer and she felt that she needed to get them something. She was carrying two blankets and a stuffed animal. Jewel did not have to go out of her way after a long night at work, to make her patients feel special, but she did! I admired her kind heart and ability to go above and beyond to help her patients through a difficult time. I later learned that there was much more to the story. One of those patients that Jewel was buying gifts for, D, had no family or friends to support her through her cancer diagnosis. Jewel so graciously stepped in and became that person for her.
The day that D was being discharged from the hospital, she asked for Jewel, so she could say goodbye. The nurse began to explain that Jewel works night shift and was not there during the day. Little did the nurse know, Jewel was in the hospital doing some additional education and happened to be on the unit at the time. Jewel was able to see D as she was discharged home, but their friendship did not end there.
Over the next few weeks, Jewel visited D at the hospice facility that she was discharged to. Jewel took pictures of them together, had them framed, and decorated D's room with the photos and flowers. She sat and watched TV shows with D and comforted her and told her, "I am your family". As D began to decline and eventually became unresponsive, Jewel would visit her and hold her hand. Sadly, her dear friend passed away this past weekend. I received a text from Jewel the day that she passed, "D just took her last breath. I am happy I was there with her, like I promised."