It was Lauren Stroh who gave my dying mother exemplary nursing care with stellar kindness and compassion. While my mom was in Palliative Care she was blessed to have this wonderful nurse by the name of Lauren, or as I called her, "Lauren Nightingale". On the second night of my mom's stay, Lauren came dancing into her room and shared with me one of the most beautiful explanations of the journey my mom was about to embark upon. She told me that I was blessed to have this time with my mom as we prepared her for her journey home. She compared it to a person driving along the Garden State Parkway; she said some people just floor it home and others plan out their journey, some making several stops along the way and others only a few. So, this is the journey I believe my mom took; she headed south on the GSP (Lauren had no idea that Ocean City, NJ was my mom's favorite place.) Lauren was working for the next three nights.
Lauren touched my heart and comforted my spirits during the darkest moment of my life. She made sure my mom was comfortable. She honored her dying wishes. She treated her with respect. Lauren let her die with dignity. When I thought my heart was completely broken and I was dying as well, Lauren treated me with compassion and grace.
Lauren would check in, prop my mother's pillows and check her morphine. Each time she walked into the room, with her comforting touch, she would place her hand over my mother's heart. She eased my mom's pain and my breaking heart. She offered me reprieve during the worst moments in my life. She probably doesn't know this, but I think about her often. Her smile, compassion and her bravery became my lifeline that evening. That was Lauren's last night of working and my mom's final exit off the GSP.
I bet Lauren doesn't receive enough "Thank yous" and may be completely unaware of the significant difference that she makes in the lives of patients and families.
Lauren now occupies a place in my heart - a place of high honor. She is "My Angel of Mercy".