Maria Cecilia "Maricel" Milan is a very compassionate nurse. She cares for her patients and their family as if she is part of her family treating them with utmost diligence. Her patient, MM was an 86 year old male who lived with his wife prior to his admission, admitted to the hospital for management of his respiratory issues and for end of life care referral to palliative and possible hospice care. Her patient MM states "I am ready to go, but my wife does not want to let me go, I cannot blame her, she loves me, and I love her. I hope she accepts that it is alright for me to go, I have been suffering, I cannot really live like a vegetable until my last breath. I still want to be able to be right in my mind when I go." Maricel asked if MM was able to talk to his wife about all his concerns, and he started crying, "how could I, I love her, it makes me sad to go, to leave her, but I can't take it anymore, I am tired." Maricel had offered to talk to the wife but MM said, "I need to find strength first, I need to talk to her heart to heart, and we need to feel that we both decided together, we always did."
Maricel took care of this patient for a few days and learned that prayer was where MM and his wife took their strength from. She offered them pastoral care support and visits, communion daily and encouraged them to allow their community pastor to visit as well. They do not have any children nor extended family just a few friends who visit periodically. Ms. Milan facilitated that MM be transferred to a private room for peace and quiet, which the couple was very thankful for. She facilitated to address clinical needs right away referring to the different members of the team as needed. She called in Social care for the emotional family support needed and a dietician in regards to food modifications the wife could do to her home-cooked meals. She also involved Integrative Medicine who also involved the wife in providing treatments to her husband for comfort. Maricel also did something special, she prayed with this couple once in the morning at ten and once before she left around seven in the evening three times a week when she had MM as a patient and even if he is not on her assignment.
Palliative care/Hospice was consulted and they were both in attendance. MM opened up about what he wanted to do to his wife and Maricel was right there as support. Care continued allowing as many medications for him to be comfortable but also cognizant of what was going on when the wife visited. MM passed away after a few days in his hospital bed in our unit. The wife looked for Maricel to pray with her as he took his last breath, pastoral care was also there at that time. The wife was so sad about her lost but also glad that her husband passed the way he wanted to and that Maricel was a witness at their lowest and saddest moments but also at their bravest times. The wife gave Maricel a hug and said her thanks and goodbyes. I saw this gesture and I was so touched that Maricel took the time to be there for this couple without fail and allowed them to live his last days in prayer. I am so proud to work side by side with Maricel.