In January, my father passed away there due to blood loss from his IV sight in his carotid artery. Elizabeth was his nurse that day, and I cannot extend enough thank yous for the amazing impact her caring actions had on my brother and me, and I'm sure my father, that day. We'd received a call from the hospital saying my dad would likely die within a few hours and that my brother and I should get there as soon as possible. I got there within an hour or so, but my brother had a couple hour drive. When I arrived, Liz saw me, but allowed me to spend some precious undisturbed minutes alone with my dad, before coming in the room. She was so sweet and compassionate and caring. She asked about how we'd like the day to go, and assured me she'd keep my dad out of pain and fear. She asked the question "what can I do to make today easier for you?" My dad had been sick for years, and we'd encountered many nurses, good and bad. And this was not the first time we'd been told to come say goodbye. No nurse had EVER considered how we were feeling.
Throughout the few hours before my dad's passing, Elizabeth kept our priorities regarding my dad's death (no pain and no fear) as her number one priority. She kept us informed of what was happening, and not as a nurse, but as a loving person walking alongside us. She told us that we were doing a good job honoring our dad, and going through these motions. She was there for us, but not overbearing, or invading our time. And in the end, as we were weeping over the loss of our dad's life, tears slipped from her eyes as well. She appeared to be close to our age, so I would imagine it hit close to home for her.
Please make sure Elizabeth receives this email thanking her for everything she did that day. There is truly not one thing she could have done better. Not one thing I wish she hadn't done, or one thing more that I wish she had. Elizabeth's actions were absolutely perfect in making one of the hardest days of my life be as good as possible, despite how hard it was for her. I will never, ever forget her kindness, or all of the compassion she showed my brother, dad and myself that day. If there is some sort of award she could be nominated for, I'd love to see that happen, but if you could please pass this along to her at a minimum, I'd truly be thankful. Thank you so much for all you did for us that day, Elizabeth. Amidst what I'm sure a nurse views as a failure(the loss of a patient) you made a difference in our lives that we will never forget."