Faye Celestino is a nurse on Unit 5800 Pediatric Cardiac Surgery ICU. Faye was caring for a child who had been on our unit for several months. She had taken care of this child countless times in the months that he was on our unit. The parents were not always able to visit him so we became his family. His chronic health problems and complex cardiac anatomy and physiology complicated his course and unfortunately, he became gravely ill and there were no further options to sustain his life other than mechanical means. His parents were struggling with decisions that no parent should have to face. Should they elect to transport him to another facility temporarily for a second opinion or face the grim reality that no further treatment options were available? The parents were at a loss and questioned whether they were making the right decisions for him. All of this confusion was complicated further with an unimaginable amount of guilt. Have they done enough, have they visited enough, have they advocated enough. They were torn, lost and heartbroken.
Faye could see all of these different emotions which also included anger in the past. She focused on all of these fears and concerns and gave the parents thoughts to remember even after their child was no longer alive. She told them that even though they weren't at the bedside, their child received care from staff that has grown to love him and he was never alone. She stated that their son taught her so much about courage, strength, and empathy. She told these parents that his lessons and courage have taught her to be compassionate, more caring and loving because that was what he needed. She talked to them about the guilt they were feeling, allowing them to vent, to plea to God and reassured them they were doing the most loving gesture for him. Faye comforted them, said all the right things to make them feel heard, feel as though they were making the right decision.
Faye allowed the mom to climb in bed with him, to hold him, to feel him. She summoned the physicians when the family had questions. Once the decision was made to allow him to die, Faye helped the mom to bathe and wash his hair. She asked the mom what hair product she prefers because his scalp felt dry. Mom said she likes Dove soap/shampoo. Faye took her compassion one step further and called her significant other and requested him to go shopping for Dove soap. He brought the Dove in within minutes of her request. The parents were forever grateful for Faye's compassion and caring gestures. It was evident that they appreciated all of Faye's efforts and kindness. She told them she would come in to be with them at the time he was coming near the end. Faye requested a chaplain to come in and one was available right away. In the end, Faye told the parents that she will be forever grateful to their son for the lessons he taught her and he will never be forgotten. This was a profound statement coming from a nurse to a parent regarding the loss of their child. This statement will never be forgotten, and I am sure this family will hold it dearly to their heart.
I want to thank Faye for her compassion in the time that matters the most in someone's life. She demonstrated extraordinary empathy and should be commended for her courage to help a family with the loss of their child.