On Tuesday November 4 we were blind sided. Heading home from a radiation treatment, my husband C suffered a stroke. It was terrifying to see the effects and anticipating the course the event would take. C received excellent care in the ED. Once a bed was available we moved to the A3 Unit. After speaking with Doctor, I knew that the drug therapy outcomes would not be apparent until the next morning. I went home. I arrived Wednesday morning at 8am after Natalie's shift ended. But I did call and talked with her before I arrived. Natalie gave me an update. Wednesday was busy with the addition of a ventilator. After this stressful day of decisions, I went home and contemplated the choices I had made. Unable to sleep I was up about 3am and received a call from Natalie; she explained C's blood pressure numbers and asked if I wanted her to administer additional drugs to bring the numbers up. Natalie was very informative as well as very understanding and sympathetic. Natalie cared for C but I also knew she cared for me. The emotional support she gave cannot be described in words.

After hanging up the phone, I decided to dress and go to the hospital. Arriving Thursday morning about 4:30 am, I met Natalie and immediately I felt she had everything under control, my husband's care and comfort as well as my piece of mind. Natalie took time to ask me about C. Sharing our life together with her was very therapeutic for me. We talked about the ventilator decision and how his son would arrive later in the day. Natalie's shift ended. We thought C might not make it through the day, especially since the ventilator would be removed. Again she gave me words of encouragement and was empathic and compassionate. Surprisingly C stayed on after the ventilator was removed. I decided to stay with him and again Natalie supported me in my vigil.

Natalie listened and related to me, this attention meant so much to me and cannot possibly be put into words. I knew my husband and I were not the only ones she was caring for but we felt that we were. Natalie monitored C's comfort level and carefully watched to keep him pain free. Natalie's attentiveness eased C's pain and his passing and allowed me to cope with my loss. I am so grateful to have had Natalie with us.