Last summer my father was admitted into Upstate, where he would pass away only a few days later. Kristie Garcia, RN, was our angel. This wonderful young woman was kind, comforting, compassionate, empathetic, sincere, professional, supportive, and a light in our life. Kristie was just one of the nurses that sat and listened to my father. This was important to him, especially as he knew he was dying. He needed to tell his story, and have people listen. Kristie shared laughter, always greeted us with a smile, and tailored her care to meet the needs of our very large family presence, always placing the needs of her patient, my father, first.
She maintained the utmost professionalism, facilitated clear communication between the physicians and the family, and helped guide and assist us with every need, no matter how small. She helped by asking family to step out of the room when we needed time alone, then allowing them in when we wanted a bedside prayer circle with as many people as possible. She was a source of comfort; we knew we could rely on her to stick to the plan of care decided by my father himself, and his proxies when he could no longer speak. This was extremely important to us. We had many discussions with our family, the physicians, and nurses, and had in mind the goal of comfort, peace, pain relief, and time. She allowed us to focus on the time that we had with my father, and not be worried about his plan of care. To be able to go home and shower, change clothes, and come back to the hospital a little refreshed was a small blessing to have had, but so greatly appreciated. We only felt comfortable doing so because we came to know the special people that were caring for my father, and we trusted them.
Kristie gave us all another wonderful gift. The most special day, that we will cherish forever. My father entered the hospital on a Friday evening, had a few days spent visiting with family, talking, laughing, being able to speak. By Monday, he had lost most of his strength, was not always lucid, had a great deal more pain, and was actively dying. Kristie had heard us speak of wanting to get my father outside. He wanted to see his old '65 T-Bird that had been getting fixed up. He wanted fresh air. He wanted to go home. He didn't get to see his car, and he did not get to go home, but he was able to get outside. It had rained all weekend long; I remember the news talking about some localized flooding at times. But on Tuesday afternoon, the rain cleared just long enough, and Kristie worked with security and the nursing team to open the door from 6I to the children's hospital patio/picnic area, so that my father could be brought outside. We wheeled him out in a recliner, oxygen, IV pole and all, so that he could feel the wind in his hair, the fresh air on his face, and spend a peaceful few hours sitting with family, not inside the hospital. When it was time for a shift change, the new nurse even came outside to check on my father, and allowed us to remain there until he was tired and ready to come in. This act of kindness, this idea to bring him outside, is the most wonderful example I have ever witnessed of a person going above and beyond what they are asked to do for their job. This was the last afternoon my father was alive; he passed the next morning. I feel so blessed to have had the time that I did with my father. I am so glad that he was treated with kindness and respect. I am forever grateful to the nurses and doctors that went out of their way to ease his suffering and make the time that we had so special. Many thanks to Kristie Garcia.