In October of 2019, Sarah was a new nurse, fresh off of orientation. She had the pleasure of taking care of this wonderful patient who had a recent lung transplant. Later in his hospitalization she was also able to discharge him home after the surgery. Unfortunately, he was eventually readmitted with some post-transplant complications. When he was readmitted, if he was not Sarah’s patient she would stop by his room every day when she was working just to say hi and to check if he needed anything. At times they would discuss college football games or share some fantastic recipes, or walks in the hallway. During her time caring or visiting him she got to know both his wife and their daughter. She also found out that he was from a beach area and he really missed being around water, that he had a corgi, that bore a close resemblance to her corgi. Those factors caused them to quickly bond over this and the conversations started to include shared dog photos and stories.

On one of the many weekends that he was admitted to the hospital, his wife had to leave to go home. Although he did not verbalize it, the sadness was written all over his face. He looked so lonely without his family at his bedside. So on Sarah’s day off, she snuck up to his room to surprise him with a trip down to the Garden of Hope so he could be near the water. But that wasn’t the only surprise she had for him - when he got downstairs, her corgi met him outside and they got to play together! According to Sarah, “I will never forget the pure happiness radiating from him and the huge smile that he could just not get rid of”.

As time went on, he, unfortunately, went into rejection and he got to the point where he didn’t want any treatment anymore. On the day he was discharged home from the hospital, Sarah wheeled him down to the car. Happy that he was going home to spend time with his family, friends, and his dog but sad that this might be their last visit. The family and patient kept in touch with Sarah and in August 2021 the wife called to say he had passed in the early morning. When Sarah got the news she knew he was at peace and no longer in pain, but she felt very sad when she reflected on how this beautiful friendship started and how it helped her to grow in her role as a nurse. She realized he was gone but he will always remain as one of her favorite patients.

When his family asked her if she could attend his funeral services, she jumped at the chance to say goodbye. She attended his funeral and when asked how it was she stated “It was a beautiful service and he would be so happy with how everyone came together to send him off, once and for all. I will never forget him and all the memories we shared together. I am so thankful to be a nurse and to have an opportunity to connect with people in such a heartfelt and intimate way."

Thanks, Sarah, for giving of yourself freely, with love, and kindness to your patients and family members during their journey. You might never see them again, but you have left your footprints in their lives forever.