Ashley Cronquist
March 2019
Ashley
Cronquist
,
RN
5 East
University of Louisville Hospital
Louisville
,
KY
United States
My father was hospitalized in 5 East for an infection and complications from his Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was in serious condition and it appeared his condition was worsening. In walks, this soft-spoken, yet determined ray of sunshine, Ashley Cronquist. Her nursing skills were evident in the top-notch care she gave Dad, but it was her compassion for him that radiated around the room. She was adamant to find the cause of his failing health and to do what she could to fix it through her care, the collaboration of the nurses, and getting the right doctors in to see what they could do. When my father was at his most critical, she never left his side, even after her shift was over until she felt he was stable. Ashley also showed my mom compassion as she explained everything that she was doing and comforted her during these times.
Fortunately, Dad's health began to improve but her compassion did not cease. She continued to be the ray of sunshine for him as they began forming a friendship. My family jokes that I gained an adopted sister. After Dad was discharged, he would pop in and see her on clinic or treatment days to see how she was, and they would take a couple of minutes to catch up on life. Once, Ashley came on her day off to sit with Dad during treatment and brought some of her favorite treats to make the chemo treatment just a little bit easier.
Months later, in December, Dad was hospitalized again, and Ashley was home visiting family for Christmas. Before she returned, Dad was placed on a ventilator, but he wrote in my hand with his finger, "day." He wanted to know what day it was and how long it would be before Ashley returned. When she did return his health was quickly declining, but he lit up when she entered the room and spoke softly to him.
Dad passed away in January, and it impacted many on the floor, but it was nurse Ashley who took it the hardest. As my family lost a great man, she also lost her buddy. Ashley drove an hour away to come to the funeral, and the rest of the family got to see what he had been raving about for months. I can say this about Ashley Cronquist; for many patients, the hospital can be a gloomy and lonely place, but her compassion and love for nursing is a bright spot in anyone's life she touches. I know for a fact, that the last six months would have been much harder if she was not in our lives.
Fortunately, Dad's health began to improve but her compassion did not cease. She continued to be the ray of sunshine for him as they began forming a friendship. My family jokes that I gained an adopted sister. After Dad was discharged, he would pop in and see her on clinic or treatment days to see how she was, and they would take a couple of minutes to catch up on life. Once, Ashley came on her day off to sit with Dad during treatment and brought some of her favorite treats to make the chemo treatment just a little bit easier.
Months later, in December, Dad was hospitalized again, and Ashley was home visiting family for Christmas. Before she returned, Dad was placed on a ventilator, but he wrote in my hand with his finger, "day." He wanted to know what day it was and how long it would be before Ashley returned. When she did return his health was quickly declining, but he lit up when she entered the room and spoke softly to him.
Dad passed away in January, and it impacted many on the floor, but it was nurse Ashley who took it the hardest. As my family lost a great man, she also lost her buddy. Ashley drove an hour away to come to the funeral, and the rest of the family got to see what he had been raving about for months. I can say this about Ashley Cronquist; for many patients, the hospital can be a gloomy and lonely place, but her compassion and love for nursing is a bright spot in anyone's life she touches. I know for a fact, that the last six months would have been much harder if she was not in our lives.