My wife, K, was a patient and unfortunately passed away. I want to start by saying that everyone I talked to for the duration of my wife's hospitalization was professional, caring, and curious in helping me through this difficult situation. The receptionists who answered the phones got to know me since I was always calling and I appreciate that they took time to ask how I was doing. The doctors and nurses all took the time to answer all my questions and always took my calls when they were able to. You have an amazing staff under your direction and they are some of the most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. My wife was 31 when she passed and left behind myself and our daughter, who recently turned one. I can't put into words how much it meant to me that everyone I spoke with asked how both my daughter and I were doing. As I write this letter a month after K's passing, I find myself not only crying but smiling because I know that K received the best care that I could have ever hoped for.
I had the pleasure of getting to talk to Jill many times since she had K at least 4 days that I can think of. The first time I talked to her she asked me all about K so she could get to know her while she was still in her coma and be able to talk to her while she was in the room. Jill asked me how my daughter and I were every time we talked and she always took time to answer all my questions. I felt like she was caring for not only my wife but my family also. When I arrived at the hospital and got on the unit I was at ease when I saw that Jill was K's nurse for the day. I knew that I would be making the most difficult decision of my life that day and I was glad to have Jill there so I could meet the person who had made such a strong impact on my life. Jill was there not only as a nurse but a friend and she spent time with me and my mother-in-law as we said our goodbyes to K.
Jill took the time to get to know more about K and the life that we had made together. Although I never knew Jill before this time, I felt like she was someone that I had known my whole life. I have talked to many nurses over the past 2 years through my wife's many hospital stays and Jill is the one that I will never forget. I thank God for letting me get to know her and have her take care of K.
I can't imagine the stress that everyone there is under during this pandemic but I never felt like it caused them to care any less about K. As I sit thinking back on my experience I know that the best team in the world was on K's side and I truly mean the world. I have played this whole experience over in my head thousands of times and every time I would bring K to Rush. Although the outcome was not what I had hoped and I now find myself a single father at 27 I know that everything was done that could have been done to save K. Thanks to your staff I have found peace in the decisions I made through her entire stay at Rush. My heart smiles knowing that K is looking down from heaven and smiling at everyone who had a hand in taking care of her. I have been and will continue to pray for everyone single person on 10 west. Please make sure to let your staff know that I appreciate them.