Kim C Wilson, BSN, RN, PCCN

When our mother was admitted, we did not know that a short 9 days later she would peacefully pass away. Yes, she'd been living with and battling lymphoma for 11 years, had recently been dealing with new symptoms, and was generally feeling more tired and run down than ever before. But who could have known this was the beginning of the end?

Before going further, let me make it crystal clear: EVERY nurse, EVERY doctor, EVERY member of hospital staff that we encountered during mom's hospital stay were caring, professional, and helpful. Even the hardworking folks in the cafeteria were unfailingly pleasant and friendly. We would nominate everyone if we could. But the one who stood out in our minds is Kim.

From the start, Kim showed remarkable personal care and attention to mom. She spoke kindly and respectfully to mom, even when she wasn't lucid or responsive. Kim patiently listened to and answered our (oftentimes rambling, unfocused, and perhaps occasionally edgy) questions. She accepted and respected Mom's deeply held personal and religious beliefs and her choices of treatment. She was not just sympathetic to what Mom and all of us were going through - she was empathetic, even sharing some personal experiences of her own with us.

When mom peacefully breathed her last breath, surrounded by her family, we were shattered. We'd never felt such deep pain and loss. Kim was there during that most difficult time. She seemed to instinctively know what to say, when not to say anything, when to let us talk, when to give us space for grieving. She continued to answer our now completely disjointed and random questions as best she could, providing as much comfort and reassurance as anyone could expect. Please know that during one of our family's darkest times, Kim’s care and compassion helped us more than words can say. We express our deepest thanks to her and the rest of the Methodist family.