My father was scheduled for surgery. Sam was covering for the regular nurse while she went to lunch. Sam had cared for my father the weekend prior, and when she came into the room to check on him, she noted how different his condition was. He was more short of breath, and his oxygen levels were dropping into the 76-78% range with little activity. He was significantly weaker.
Sam initiated a call to the doctor, and within a short period of time, my father had a chest x-ray, echo, and ABGs. My father was developing pneumonia and fluid on his lungs. The surgery was canceled, and we were told that had he gone to surgery in this condition he probably would not have come off the ventilator.
Sam saved my father's life, and we are so grateful!