My Mother, P, was admitted to Hendricks Regional Health on a Friday. On Monday and Tuesday nights, we were fortunate to have Robin for a nurse.
As Mom's condition worsened Monday, the family decided to spend the night. The doctor had ordered fentanyl to help keep Mom comfortable. Robin gathered my brothers, sister, and me in the hall outside of Mom's room to explain the drug, and the side effects it could have on Mom. After all of our questions had been answered by Robin, we returned to Mom's room. Robin quietly whispered into Mom's ear while holding her hand, "Ms. P, I'm going to give you some medicine that will help you rest".
Throughout the night, Robin would come in to check on Mom and always ask how we were doing and if we needed anything. Robin and the aid brought us blankets, pillows, extra chairs, and even magically made the room chair into a cot for us. After a long night, Robin came in to check on us one last time before leaving Tuesday morning. She told us she would be our nurse again Tuesday night.
Late Tuesday afternoon, I made the decision to take Mom off all her IVs and let her pass peacefully as this was her request. My brother and I were going to spend the night again and if necessary, we would call the rest of the family back during the night.
When Robin arrived for Tuesday night shift, she came in to check on Mom and introduced us to the nurse's aid for the shift. During the next few hours, Robin monitored Mom closely and would ask if we needed anything or had any questions she might answer for us. Around midnight, Mom started showing signs that her body was shutting down. Robin again explained to us the drugs they would use to keep Mom comfortable. At 1:00 am Robin gave Mom a shot of anxiety medicine to help calm her and suggested calling the family back to the hospital.
After my other brother and sister had arrived, Robin once again explained the protocol and time frame for the drugs she would be administering to help keep Mom comfortable. As she had on Monday night, Robin whispered in Mom's ear that she was going to give her some medication to help ease her discomfort. After administering the drug, Robin politely excused herself, leaving with tears running down her cheeks. Robin and the aid immediately brought in chairs for everyone, offered us water, soft drinks, coffee, and brought us a bowl of snacks. Every 10 to 15 minutes Robin would quietly enter the room to monitor Mom's condition and answer any questions/concerns we had.
As 3:34 am, before administering a dose of Morphine, Robin whispered to Mom, "Ms. P you are a wonderful lady and a very special, loving Mother. Your family is all here with you now and I just want you to know it's been my pleasure to care for you".
At 3:57 am, Mom passed away.
Robin and the aid immediately went into comforting mode for the family. They made sure we had private, quiet time with Mom and told us we could stay as long as we needed to. Later as we were all ready to leave, Robin and the aid hugged each of us and expressed their sympathy and made sure we were all okay.