Recently, several Nurses, Patient Care Technicians, and a Respiratory Technician held a pizza party for a patient. Mr. RA was a longtime resident on 7 Foster. He was admitted in October of 2018 and left several times for short periods to enter a Sub-acute Rehab. Mr. RA was vent dependent and unable to eat. However, he would always ask the staff for pizza and beer.
During his time on 7 Foster, he developed strong relationships with the staff and eventually began to refer to them as his family. In his final hours of life, several caregivers coordinated a party for him which included listening to his favorite music. The caregivers ordered pizza and had Pepsi (not beer) for him to enjoy. While eating his pizza the caregivers played Jonny Cash and took turns singing and line dancing in the room. Mr. RA said, "this is great" as he had tears in his eyes. He was worried the caregivers would get in trouble for having a pizza party for him but was assured they would not.
Mr. RA was weaned from the vent and peacefully passed away the next morning.