Getting the diagnosis from the doctor that my Dad was not going home and would end his life here at the hospital was devastating to say the least. The first night was very scary for my Dad and family not knowing what to expect. After a week of getting use to all the procedures, rules and no rules of this unit had passed, my Dad was very much at ease and comfortable with the care he was receiving. He built many relationships with everyone from the nurses all the way to the daily newspaper deliverer. His care from all was excellent, but there was one nurse whom he connected with from the beginning and her name is Katie Embry.
When Katie talked with Dad it was face to face or person to person. Katie would sit beside Dad and talk about life and both would joke and laugh with each other. I would often see Katie sitting on his bed, leaning over him as we would share stories or help him eat. I even caught her giving Dad a kiss.
For the first three weeks Dad would not let anyone bathe him. Well, Katie did not give him a choice and from that day on she was the only one he would allow. Those two had a special relationship. My father had an outgoing personality and loved to joke and laugh and share words with all that came in. Him and Katie did a lot of that. He trusted everything she would recommend, suggest or even demand with his care. She brightened each day when she was working. The family hoped she would be with him when he passed. He loved her and my entire family does too. Thank you Katie for it all.