Peter Reynolds, RN

My dad was diagnosed with CML at the end of February. We were told it would be manageable with home oral treatment, but that quickly changed. He was admitted to the hospital, where it was determined he was in a blast crisis and his organs were shutting down. We were absolutely stunned and terrified. We followed the advice of his medical team without fully understanding or comprehending what we were up against. He endured procedures and tests as well as transfusions and continuous dialysis because his body was too weak for traditional dialysis. Everyone who cared for him was great, but one RN truly stood out: Peter.

Our family felt instantly calmed by Peter’s presence, knowledge, and the anticipatory care he provided my dad. He explained hard things to us in a human way, not in a clinical, sterile way. He was gentle with my dad in a way no other nurse had been. He saw him as a man, husband, and father and not just a patient. It made all the difference in my dad’s comfort and our emotional well-being during the hardest days of our lives. He always made sure that my dad had fresh water and ice chips, which was his final meal. He never let the water get cold or the ice fully melt. It was compassionate and loving. While technically simple, it was a grand gesture to us, the people who loved him. Peter was there when we stopped all lifesaving interventions. He stayed with us while my dad was transferred from the ICU to the hospice floor. He hugged all of us. When it was my turn, I whispered, “You made all the difference”. Nothing has ever been truer.

Peter Reynolds is an exceptional nurse who cares for his patients at the highest level and also nurtures their families, and that is a real gift. I hope to never be back in the Methodist ICU, but if another member of my family or I end up there, it would be ok, because Peter’s there. Thank you, Peter!