Randy Holbrook went above and beyond his duty to care for my brother, B, who unfortunately passed away. Randy never once made us, the family, feel uncomfortable; he always explained things to the family as he was doing them and he explained things in a way non-health care professionals would easily understand. Randy was always honest with us about my brother's rapidly deteriorating condition. My brother was in for 8 days and 7 out of the 8 days Randy was my brother's nurse, even volunteering on his days off to ensure my brother was getting the best possible care.
As we asked the difficult questions about what would happen if we turned all of the life support machines off, again Randy was honest with us but attempted to be very optimistic. We did make the decision to let nature take its course and Randy supported our decision. He gave us each time to say our last goodbyes as well as letting us gather around my brother as he took his last breaths on this earth. He let my sweet two-year-old niece sleep in the room next to her mother because my niece just simply wanted to make her "Daddy feel better." The monitors began to beep more and more as my brother's vital signs continued to drop until everything eventually read zero. Randy came into the room to turn all the monitors off so that we the family could have peace.
As we all left the hospital, my grandfather who had lost his beloved wife just three months prior to my brother's death, insisted he just needed to see B one more time. My husband and I walked with my grandfather back to CVICU the where my brother was. Randy welcomed us with open arms to once again say goodbye to my dear brother. I thanked him and told him how much of an angel he was to my entire family. He hugged me and my grandfather and told us that he wished he could've done more and that he wished things were different.
My family and I would like to acknowledge Randy for his excellent care of my brother during his final days, as they were difficult for us all. We wish there was more we could do to thank him on the night shift. So, Randy, you are a remarkable nurse and a phenomenal person. You truly have the compassion even though on days I'm sure your job is difficult, but you do an extraordinary job. So, again Thank You!