My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and then later, bone metastasis. The cancer spread to lymph nodes and soft tissues in her shoulder blade, causing increased pain and lymphedema in her left arm.  

She was hospitalized, discharged and then readmitted to WellSpan York Hospital with severe shortness of breath. Over the next week, my mom and my family received devastating news that the cancer had spread further and was causing her lungs to fill with malignant fluid. 

I am fortunate to work for WellSpan and to have received help from the Rapid Response Team (RRT) while working. However, when I got to my mom’s room after she was transferred, there was a rapid response nurse there. As a nurse, I know that is not generally a positive sign. My family members are not medical, so they did not realize that the RRT nurse usually means someone is decompensating or something is awry.  Being on the “family side” of a hospital admission is a lot different than I anticipated and seeing the rapid team filled me with dread and anxiety instead of the relief and gratitude I normally feel while working. My mom’s oxygen saturation had dropped while walking from the stretcher to the bed and was having difficulty rebounding. Michelle, the member of the team, was calm, collected, and competent. She kept my mom calm during the episode and didn’t add stress to an already chaotic day. My family was educated on what was happening in a way that didn’t incite panic. 

Over the course of my mom’s stay, the rapid response nurses rounded on my mom each shift. Sam, another member of the team, and Michelle made a point to make my parents feel at ease while knowing that she was being monitored closely for changes in her status. Sam provided my family and myself with updates. It was very hard to watch from the sidelines while I knew what was occurring with my mom in a different way than my other family members because, unfortunately, I have taken care of patients like my mom in the past.  My anxiety was at an all-time high, and it was very hard to leave the hospital and go home. Honestly, knowing that the whole team was involved in my mom’s care gave me a sense of peace that I cannot thank them enough for.  

My mom passed away at home on hospice. Navigating the last few months has been so hard, but I want the entire RRT to know how truly thankful my family is for all their care. I know my mom appreciated each one of them, and I can say with certainty that I can never repay them all for the excellent care provided to her. I can never repay them for the peace of mind they provided me with while my mom was admitted. I didn’t love that she needed them, but I am so thankful she had them all. They are an absolute blessing to WellSpan York Hospital!