My mother was transferred to the ICU of the Heart Center on Friday morning after spending the past 9 days on the 3rd floor where she received excellent care from the nursing staff.
As she transitioned from regular care to ICU, she ended up needing palliative care just two days later.
I received a phone call around 8 am that morning about my mother's current issue. She was unable to breathe, and the physician made a decision to insert a breathing tube. I arrived shortly thereafter to find my mother sedated. Josh was the RN for her care that day. He introduced himself and explained what was happening. I had just left her a 9:30 pm where she was coherent, able to speak to me and now this. My siblings soon arrived, and Josh explained to all of us the current medical status of our mother. He assured us she was not in pain and probably was able to hear us - to keep speaking with her. As the day progressed, and doctors came and went, Josh never stopped assuring us she was comfortable. He made sure we were as well. After meeting with the palliative physician, we knew our mother did not want heroics nor to be on a breathing tube. We knew what decision had to be made. As we prepared for what was to come, and gathering the family, Josh was kind and compassionate to our needs. Once we gathered the family, Josh prepared us for the rest. I was extremely appreciative of Josh's sincerity when he mentioned the family should not wander far when he was removing the breathing tube and beginning to stop certain medications. Because of this, the entire family surrounded my mother in love as she was only with us for a mere 20 minutes. This meant the world to us.
I want to thank Josh for everything he did for my mother and for my family during this difficult time.