My dad was moved to the 8th floor after the decision had been made to move him to a nursing home the next day where he would receive hospice care. My dad was dying of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and he was in and out of consciousness. It was hard to watch and wait, helpless, as he seemed restless, agitated, and uncomfortable. With the change of the nurses' shift, in walked Maria. She immediately took charge of the situation. She seemed to sense that my dad had only a short time to live and she lovingly guided us, his family, through the next few hours.
Maria told us that this room was our home and we should make ourselves comfortable. She brought in extra chairs, had sandwiches and snacks sent in for us and for family members who would be arriving. When she asked me if I would be spending the night, I didn't know what to do. She told me to follow my heart. A few minutes later, a couch was waiting outside the room.
Maria took care of my dad making sure he had the medications to help him rest, had mouth care, and was comfortably positioned. As all his children were present, she told us that now was the time to sit with him, share memories, tell him what he meant to us, and to show him our love. My sister asked if there might be any music we could play. Soon Maria brought in her own cell phone and asked what he liked to listen to. We all said Neil Diamond and soon, thanks to Maria, his music became the background music to our stories, laughter, and tears.
As his breathing became more erratic, Maria was reassuring. That afternoon and evening we felt as though he was her only patient. When my dad passed, she encouraged us to stay as long as we needed to say our final goodbyes.
In the midst of our tears and pain, Maria was a ray of light. I cannot say enough about Maria's empathy, care, and compassion. Maria is a treasure.