During the Christmas season, a patient was admitted to Vidant Chowan ICU from home due to hyponatremia following several years of suffering from malignant neoplasm of the upper lobe of the left lung and undergoing chemotherapy. After a lengthy hospitalization, it was determined the patient was no longer a candidate for continued chemo or curative therapy. During a very long discussion with the patient and family about end of life care, the patient expressed concern that she would not live to celebrate Christmas or see her dogs during her final days. As part of this discussion, the Hospitalist asked what the patient wanted most during her last days and she very enthusiastically replied that she desired to eat ribs and cornbread in front of a Christmas tree with a visit from Santa Claus. The Hospitalist team ensured the patient they would do their best to work some Christmas magic.
Preparations, therefore, began to transfer the patient out of ICU to Palliative Care. This suite has been in use at Vidant Chowan since September of 2016 and is used for those patients at the end of life for comfort and palliative care. The Suite was created/designed and paid for solely by the team members of Vidant Chowan with support from the Hospital Foundation.
As part of the palliative care experience, this patient received a beautiful handmade quilt and a comfort bag filled with personal items. Family and visitors were encouraged to write notes and memories in the patient's bedside journal to create moments of joy while celebrating her life and legacy. The team members engaged the patient in conversations about end of life wishes and the legacy being left behind which encompassed a love of gospel music and listening to her beloved Bible on tape. After encouraging the family to bring these items in, the patient was often seen lying in bed listening to the Bible on tape or the TV tuned in to the Gospel music station. The patient was blessed with family and friends that developed a visitation schedule to ensure she was not alone while in the Palliative Care Suite.
As the Hospitalist team promised, the Christmas magic ensued with a long visit and lots of love from both the patient's dogs followed by a lunchtime meal and festivities. There was an artificial Christmas tree and cornbread from Rachel Ferrell, famous homemade ribs with the bar-b-que sauce cooked by Dr. Matthew Rapp and lifesaver candy canes for tree decorations from Ginger Griffin.
Lastly, a lovely handmade prayer shawl was given to the patient's family while Santa made his grand entrance for a lengthy visit, compliments of the hospital police. Santa's visit was a highlight for all as the joy on the patient's face brought tears to the eyes of family and staff alike.
After several days in the Palliative Care Suite, the patient elected to go home with Hospice and on the following day she peacefully expired in her home surrounded by her loving and caring family. Those fortunate enough to have been part of this patient's care were given a gift, as we witnessed healthcare professionals from all disciplines pray, cry, hug and give of themselves to make an end of life wish come true for this patient. In retrospect, we are personally and professionally better people for having witnessed humanity at its finest as a little Christmas magic reminded us that kindness and compassionate healthcare is still alive and well.