I am writing this shortly after experiencing the loss of both of my parents to pneumonia caused by the COVID-19 virus. Both ended up in the intensive care unit where they both succumbed to this horrible virus. In the midst of my siblings and my worst fears realized, there were two shining stars who acted above and beyond for the three of us as we prayed for healing when our mother was admitted and then our father. Then peace for our mother when she passed, and our father when he passed twelve days later.
I would like to recognize Kelsey Fiveash in the ICU. She was personally responsible for both our parents at points during their stay. I know she was one of the first nurses working with my dad when he was finally admitted to the ICU because she met me outside the main entrance when I brought his Bi-PAP unit for them to try on him to ease his confusion. We were unable to visit either parent since they were COVID-19 positive and we were losing our minds because we wanted to be with them.
One morning, Kelsey was on shift and she helped us FaceTime with our mom. Our mom was intubated and sedated but it helped us to talk to her. Kelsey offered to move down to our dad's room and do the same even though he was not her patient. We FaceTimed with him with Kelsey holding the phone for us to talk to him even though he was intubated and sedated. Kelsey did this several times for us including when my mom was improving and had been removed from the ventilator. We got to hear our mom tell us she loved us one more time the day before she arrested and the code team couldn't revive her. Kelsey made this happen for us.
On the way down, we happened to walk past Kelsey as she was leaving her shift for the day. With everything going on, I did not see her, and my brother had never met her, so we passed her and the other nurses without thinking about it. She doubled back and asked us in the hallway if we were her patient’s children because she recognized us from our FaceTime calls with our parents. We confirmed her suspicions and she kept walking with us as we told her we were there to say goodbye to our dad now.
We joined up with our sister outside of dad's room and Kelsey stood with us telling us everything that was going on. We asked a few questions here and there but mainly we noticed that since we arrived, Dad's vital signs were dropping fast. Within a few minutes, he was gone. Kelsey told us she was sorry for our loss and that she knew our parents were special people just by the way they treated her. She left us to grieve together. After we left the hospital that night, all three of us were astounded by the actions of Kelsey. She went above and beyond for us during the most difficult time in our lives. She stood with us when we said goodbye to both our parents in the span of twelve days.
We all need more nurses like Kelsey in this world.