Kelly goes above and beyond every day with her patients and their families to ensure that they are provided with kind and compassionate care. One recent example of Kelly's benevolent nursing skills is about a patient and her family. This patient had been fighting cancer for over a year, going through multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. She was very weak and very sick. She had been fighting a long and difficult fight. The physician came into the room and discussed a very extensive plan with the patient. Her daughters, her husband, and Kelly were all by her side during this difficult conversation. Kelly then had a conversation with the patient to ask her what she wanted. The patient let Kelly know that she was tired of fighting. Kelly advocated for the patient and asked the physician to come back to the room to discuss other options such as hospice. Kelly then had extensive conversations with the family about hospice care. Kelly spent hours with them praying, reassuring them, and offering any type of comfort that could to help them through this difficult time.

The patient decided that she would like to be discharged to hospice in her home. During the next few days, she stayed in the hospital while we fought to control her pain and her severe nausea. At that time, she would sleep for much of the day, but was awake at times to have a few last conversations with her family. Even in her final days, she was very concerned that she did not want to be a burden to anyone. She was so concerned that it was her daughter's birthday and that she had not done anything to celebrate it. Kelly helped the patient through this sadness by praying with her, singing songs, and cheering her on. While Kelly only cared for this patient for one day as her own patient, she came in on her own time to be at her side. Kelly would sit with the patient when the family needed to leave the room to take a shower or get some food. They did not want to leave her alone, but they felt confident that Kelly would be there watching her.
In the final days, the family was unsure if the patient could hear them or if she was able to wake up. Kelly gently woke the patient up when her whole family was at the bedside. The patient was then able to communicate to them, share stories and special cheers with each of them. These were valuable moments that allowed both the family and the patient to say goodbye. Kelly provided the family with her personal cell phone number for additional support.
Sadly, she died here in the hospital three short days after agreeing to go into hospice. She was surrounded by her family and was able to die in peace. She passed away around midnight, and sadly Kelly was not here. However, one of the daughters later texted Kelly this message: "Words cannot express the love and gratitude that we felt towards you during the final days of Mom's life. You went above and beyond anything that is required for your job and you showed true compassion for our mom. Thank you for holding her hand, reading to her, asking her questions. We could not have done this without you. Mom went to be with the Lord around 11:45 pm. We were so blessed to be there with her in her final moments."