Krys was the nurse for 3 continuous days when my sister, K was in the hospital. I came from NY to see Ka, as she had been recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 58 years old. K’s grave physical condition was only superseded by her emotional state as a result of her prognosis. Throughout the days Krys was with K, they were constantly monitoring her pain management and medications, as they seemed to be changing rapidly. Krys changed the oxygen method from canula to another type of mask as K’s saturation numbers dropped, then back to the canula- all the while coaching the breathing in a calming way.

Krys advocated for K when they felt the medication regimen was not effectively working. K began to have anxiety as well and Krys employed many strategies to ease the panic K was feeling. From directing her breathing pattern to playing K’s favorite music in the room, to the most effective- holding K’s hands, proved to be more effective than we could have hoped for.

K was not the type to typically respond to touch, and she calmed right down when Krys was with her. The energy Krys transferred by that simple act had a greater effect than any medication ever did. They accompanied K to a CT scan that would not otherwise have been possible had Krys not been beside her. K's panic calmed, her oxygen saturation went up and her overall demeanor improved. K was released and later re-admitted to the 7th floor.

I returned from New York when K was in her final days and although the care was amazing, I actually went to the 3rd floor to see if Krys was working, as I was hoping to ask them to come and see K and provide some light in her darkest and last days. Krys has left a permanent mark on my heart knowing my sister felt less pain and more love just because Krys did so much more than their “job.” They demonstrated exceptional nursing skills and a level of compassion I didn’t know existed- that trait could not be learned in any nursing school.