On Saturday I took my husband J to the emergency room. He was then admitted to the fourth floor and was cared for. At first, I thought he would get better but soon realized that these were going to be his last days. On Valentine's Day I stayed later at the hospital than usual and was talking to Shannon and Dr. H in the hallway. Shannon asked if I had anything to eat and I said, "No." She said, "Why don't you go down to the cafeteria and get something; I will order for J and you can eat together." But then she turned to Dr. H and asked if she could order from the regular menu for him. The doctor said, "Yes." She asked me what J's favorite food was. I said, pepperoni pizza. She asked what I would like to eat, and I said, pepperoni pizza. She said she would order for the both of us. I went in the room to sit with J.
Soon Shannon came back in the room; she had a bouquet of flowers and said to us, "You two need to have a Valentine's dinner!" She returned again with small cups of ice and a large bucket of ice where she placed the bottle of Pellegrino that my husband had on his tray. She said she would have brought a candle, but it was not allowed. Soon the pepperoni pizza arrived along with the ice cream and J and I ate together. Shannon came back in and asked if we would like a picture. We said, sure. She then took a picture. This was one of my last happy moments with J as he passed away at home several days later with his family and the care of hospice nurses.