Savannah Scheffler
May 2025
Savannah
Scheffler
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
MICU
Ochsner Medical Center - Main Campus New Orleans
New Orleans
,
LA
United States

 

 

 

A 63-year-old man came to Ochsner with cautious hope, seeking evaluation for a lung transplant after a long battle with Interstitial Lung Disease. He hoped for more time with his family and a life where each breath wasn't a struggle. But the hope that brought him here was soon met with a sobering reality as he was not a candidate for transplant. With heavy hearts, he and his wife faced the next chapter of his care as he transferred from SICU to MICU. That's where Savannah stepped in. Savannah, a MICU nurse known for her deep compassion and presence, became a quiet force of strength for both the patient and his wife. She welcomed them with empathy and calm, immediately earning their trust. As he remained on continuous BiPAP, fighting to hold on and undergoing chemotherapy in hopes of gaining more time, Savannah offered not just medical care but true support. She answered every question with patience and kindness, guiding them through a journey neither had imagined. On his second day in MICU, everything seemed heavier. He was restless, agitated, and emotionally exhausted. Savannah saw beyond the vitals and the machines; she saw a man in distress, struggling not just physically, but emotionally. With gentle encouragement, she helped him out of bed and into a chair, then opened the blinds to let in the sunlight. It was a simple act, but transformative; he had clarity. He looked at Savannah with eyes that had seen enough. He told her he was tired. He was ready. Savannah called his wife and notified the medical team. Together, they held a family meeting. The patient expressed his wishes clearly and with resolve: he was ready to transition to comfort-focused care. He had three final wishes. He wanted to kiss his wife. He wanted a strawberry pop. And he didn't want to die on BiPAP. Savannah made each wish matter. First, she gently removed the mask so he could kiss the woman who had stood by him through every twist of the journey. Then she dashed to PJs and returned with a strawberry soda and, just in case, a lemonade, his second favorite. She removed the mask again, letting him enjoy the simple pleasure of those last few sips. When he said he was ready, Savannah gave him medication to ease the air hunger he would feel once the BiPAP was removed. She honored his wishes, every single one, and stayed by his side as his breathing slowed and softened. Within the hour, he passed peacefully, surrounded by love, with his wife and family present. Savannah ensured that his death was not defined by machines or fear but by dignity, love, and fulfillment of the few things that still brought him comfort. In a world often too fast, too clinical, too detached, Savannah stood out not just as a nurse but as a healer of hearts. Her presence turned one man's final moments into a sacred experience of compassion, peace, and humanity.