The patient was admitted to 10Main with a diagnosis of TB. She was from Jamaica and had no family here with her. The patient was here for a wedding and got sick. Echo knew one of our Epic Superusers, J, was from the islands and wanted them to meet. J and Echo fell in love with this patient. Later, the patient was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and probably wouldn't be able to return home. Her mother wasn't able to get here and be with her and the patient felt alone and depressed. I learned from J that Echo had been visiting the patient after her shift to sit with her. Echo made sure either she or J would be on a rotation to keep her company. The patient didn't want to be alone because she was afraid she would die in her sleep so she was not resting. The patient was requesting certain kinds of meals and desserts. Echo baked her cookies and brought them to her before her shift with a note that read "to a strong woman".
Echo is an Angel. I love her welcoming spirit when she's at work. Her co-workers were blown away hearing the wonderful things Echo has done for this patient.
A few days later I learned that the patient had been transferred to 7ICU and given days to live. I saw Echo in the halls and updated her. She burst into tears in disbelief. Echo kept repeating to me, "I just saw her on Sunday, what do you mean she's on a vent?". I had no words to comfort her. I went to see the patient later that evening and Echo was at the bedside holding her hand after speaking to her earlier that morning. Echo always said to me, "she can't die alone". The next day I sent her some flowers to brighten her day and in return, she sent me a card that read, "Today was a rough day. Getting those flowers was an unexpected surprise that brought a smile to my face and reminded me to see the beauty in every experience. C has told me twice now, some of the best work we do is for the patients we lose, and they are better for having us, and I'm trying to keep that in my mind. The patient has taught me what bravery looks like, each day when given worse and worse news. She kept a smile on her face and laughed with me. The patient also showed me how important it was to live life, she traveled a lot and was willing to try new things as she encouraged me to do as well."
The patient's mother flew here from Jamaica to be with her daughter. The patient passed away with her mother, and friends at the bedside.