My dearest L, my wonderful wife of 57 years, passed away in March. She was in Baylor Scott & White Hospice care since October of 2021, a very long period of almost 17 months. She was struggling in the clutches of severe Parkinson’s Disease and possibly another neurological condition for about eight years’ duration. In time, a most awful progression of debilitation occurred, however, thankfully, her mind remained untouched and was spared. She became totally immobile, paralyzed, bedridden, with no ability to use her hands or legs, unable to eat or drink on her own or to speak at all, totally dependent on others to survive. Hospice care began after a visit with the doctor in the Palliative care department of BSW with the expectation that L was in her last 6 months of life. I decided early on that I would keep her at home, if possible, rather than place her in an institution. However, as time went on to the latter stages of her maladies, I had many doubts that I had made the best decision to keep her at home. I did not anticipate the difficulties that we had to face as her disease progressed. I began to feel very inadequate for the task.  

However, Stacy Wilhite, RN, having the longest tenure with us, during our nearly 17 months with hospice care, became a great source of strength for me, affirming that I had made the best choice. She is the one person who was so outstanding and special to L and me and is so deserving of recognition. I would like to present Stacy Wilhite, RN, Hospice Nurse, as our nominee for the prestigious DAISY Award! Stacy was my rock, gave me the strength to carry on and persevere and taught me how to take care of L in the best possible way.  

Her very broad range of skills were very apparent to me the first time she came. I knew from day one that this person was going to be superb. Every time that I saw her car arrive in my driveway, it gave me a tremendous feeling of relief, knowing that we were in good hands. When she walked up the sidewalk to the front door, I could see her wonderful smiling face as she approached the house. Every visit was a joy and blessing for L and me. Stacy was with us for about a year. She was with us during the most difficult end stages, making weekly visits and sometimes more, making excellent evaluations, and communicating with me by text messages, and calling between scheduled visits. If we needed anything, she was there for me and L, always easing my mind, calming my fears, building me up, keeping me motivated, affirming the things I was doing right, and providing guidance, always in a courteous and loving way. She became my steadfast partner in caring for L.  

In my desire to give L some special food treats, I would give her some crispy bacon, which at first, she could handle, but as time went on, it was not a good idea due to her choking problems. Stacy would sometimes remind me as she walked out the door after a visit, playfully smiling back at me, “Now, don’t give her any more bacon!!” It always gave us both a laugh, and sometimes L, too.  

L had a troublesome pressure sore that was already present when Stacy was assigned to us. We were doing our best to control it with little success. However, Stacy started a different treatment regimen that reversed the progression. It finally was going in the right direction and gave a lot of comfort to L. I was amazed and appreciative to see how skillful Stacy was in doing the wound care, changing the dressings, sometimes giving her gentle baths, massaging her hands and fingers that had become severely contracted, treating some troublesome fungal infections on the hands and feet, giving manicures and pedicures, positioning her in the bed, caressing her in gentle and loving strokes and speaking to her in such a loving way.  

Stacy was a most capable, loving, caring person and gave L the best care anyone could ask for. For me, Stacy was a great listener and confidant. She was someone I could talk to so easily as I reflected on my life and L’s life. We talked together about anything and everything. She always was concerned about how I was doing as well as L. When I became very fatigued and disheartened, she would notice. Encouragement was always given and greatly appreciated. The Bible references how a man and a woman become one in marriage. L and I had become one in body, mind and spirit. We were as one person. I think Stacy understood this unique husband wife relationship fully. The phrase “until death do us part” that is so often used in marriage ceremonies became uncomfortably prominent in my mind. I was aware that L and I would have a transformation of this “oneness” very soon. I am so thankful that Stacy understood this bond between husband and wife. In some ways, Stacy was a nurse to me as well as L. She was there for L as well as for me.  

Our wonderful hospice chaplain would pray the most fervent and meaningful prayers with us, always reminding L and me in his prayers that God will never leave us and will never forsake us. I would often wonder how that could be true in this awful situation. I came to realize that God sent us His blessings and care through Stacy and the BSW hospice team to be with us, to love us, and care for us. When I think of what a hospice nurse needs to be, I believe that Stacy Wilhite, RN, Hospice Nurse, has all the characteristics to a very high degree that one would ever need or desire in a hospice nurse. Her unique personality, her loving and caring spirit, her superb clinical skills, her compassion, and something indescribable and intangible in her soul, make her very special and highly deserving of the Prestigious DAISY Award.  

When the end was thought to be only two or three days away, Stacy prepared me for how it would likely be, explaining that dying is not always an ugly thing. She said it would likely be a passing in her sleep at night or just becoming comatose and passing peacefully. She was right. The day before LoSharris’ passing, as Stacy prepared to leave our house, emotions were overwhelming. Stacy gave me a last trembling embrace with tears flowing uncontrollably from us both. It was a testament to her loving, caring, and compassionate spirit. Stacy will always be a treasure in my heart! I know that God sent Stacy to provide healing and to love and comfort us. God sent us a wonderful precious Angel, Stacy Wilhite.