This is difficult to write because the pain of my mother's passing is still very fresh in our minds and hearts. We only very first met Angela on the day my mother entered the ICU, but I immediately felt comfort in knowing that my mother would be cared for and loved like it was Angela's own family member. I know my mother felt the love and care she received by Angie and by all the other caregivers in the ICU on those final days and hours.
I know the room sometimes got a little crowded with family members, but Angie would work around us like we were not even there. She answered any and all questions, large or small, and if she didn't know she would get us an answer. There was even talk that she changed her shift to be with us. I am not sure Angie realizes the impact her compassion for my family and my dying mother had on all of us, and we can't thank her enough.
One instance sticks out in my family's mind; while I was in the room watching my mother's struggle to stay alive to say goodbye to her children and grandchildren, I started feeling faint, sweating, and having some 'check issues'. Angie immediately switched from caring for Mom to caring for me. She sat me down, took my blood pressure, and offered to do more extensive testing if I wanted it. The pressure and stress had finally gotten to me. She continued to care for Mom in the most professional and compassionate way but also continued to watch me. I guess this is what great nurses do.
I know there are an incredible amount of unbelievably fantastic nurses in the world, but we were lucky enough to get a 'family member' for ours. Thank you, Angela Amann.