May 2017
Christy
Neal
,
RN, BSN
Cardiac Intensive Care
Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Muncie
,
IN
United States
The Oncology unit admitted a patient that was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and he declined very quickly. He could not make decisions about his code status and was emotionally distraught. His physical condition declined so rapidly that he had to be transferred to CIC. The family spoke with me personally about the outstanding and compassionate care he received from one very special nurse, Christy Neal. As they were talking to me and telling me about their wonderful experience, they said the time they spent over on CIC was a very much needed time to help the patient and the family process what exactly was taking place in their lives. The patient told Christy he just wanted to see the sunset one last time before he died. Christy moved his bed around in his room that day so that the patient and his family could watch the sunset. The patient was moved back to Oncology and Christy accompanied them to their room to get settled. The patient passed away the next day. The family again expressed to me how very grateful they were to Christy for the care of their loved one and how she made his last dying wish happen on CIC. The family will never forget Christy and how she truly made a difference in their lives.