Sarah A Natushko, BSN

My dad entered the trauma ICU the day after his 85th birthday. The prognosis was not bright from the beginning, although there was some hope along the way. Every nurse was amazing. Every time we had a new nurse, the initial feeling of 'we liked the last one' was replaced with 'oh my gosh, this nurse is fantastic too!’

As reality set in and my dad transitioned to hospice, I couldn't accept that we were there. I was holding onto unrealistic possibilities for recovery while the rest of my family had accepted what was happening. Sarah could obviously see that. Four days before my dad passed, Sarah came into my dad’s room (even though he was not her patient that day) to see how I was doing. She sat next to me and told me a personal story of letting go. She explained that doing this was the greatest act of love for someone suffering as my dad was. She left me with such a feeling of reassurance and acceptance.

My dad passed surrounded by his wife and all his children and grandchildren. While it is terribly hard, Sarah’s kind words and time spent making sure I found some peace with what was happening meant the world to me. She gave me comfort in what felt like a situation that was impossible to push through. She didn't have to come see me or take time to talk to me, but she did. I thank God for all she did for me, as it means more than she even knows.