Our families lives changed forever. My Aunt was suddenly stricken with sepsis caused by a kidney stone that blocked her ureter. The sepsis occurred so very rapidly, without warning. Our family was forced to make decisions that we had never imagined that we would have to make. My Aunt was an amazing mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, and friend- an overall kind and generous soul. That morning my cousins were beside themselves with all that was going on, from not understanding fully the magnitude of what was about to happen over the next several hours, to how it was going to impact so many lives.
I arrived at the ICU and was greeted by Dana Navarette as my Aunt's nurse. She was very busy attending to all the medication pumps and all the medical needs you would imagine on a patient who was critically ill. Very kind, gentle and compassionate with everything she did. She was attentive to all our family's needs, the most kind in her responses and very protective of my Aunts' needs as well. It didn't take me very long to figure out where my Aunt's condition was headed. Dana was professional in answering all questions, caring for our loved one as if she were her very own.
After meeting with the primary doctor, our family had to make the decision to withdraw support. Dana was kind, compassionate with each one of us, taking care of us just as if we were her patient as well. Dana gave us all the attention and time we needed to accept the events that had occurred so suddenly. I and my family are eternally grateful for all of Dana's kindness and compassion. We will cherish her always. I hope that AV Hospital, Dana's Director's/Managers and her co-workers recognize what an amazing nurse they have to work with.