My sister was admitted to Ascension Borgess ER with low blood pressure, low pulse ox, clammy skin, in and out of consciousness and coughing along with loud respirations. Due to her age and previous diagnosis of dementia, I, along with my family, decided on only comfort measures for my sister. We agreed to oxygen treatments and IV fluids - no antibiotics.
The RN on duty was Elizabeth (Liz), and I especially wanted to make sure that she was recognized for her excellent physical care of my sister and her kind, comforting ways not only to her but also to our entire family. I am my sister's Patient Advocate and POA, and it can be so difficult to make decisions which could possibly mean shortening someone's life. Liz listened and was generous with hugs as I explained what our family had decided. She mentioned how she was able to chart the love she could feel from our family in our support of our sister, mother, and grandmother.
The doctors were also very supportive of our family's decision. They were both supportive in ways that you can't put into words. Normally two family members are allowed into ER with the patient, but one doctor said that our big family could all be in the ER room with my sister to say our possible goodbyes.
The other doctor took my niece and me to a separate room where she listened and supported us. Once my sister was transported to the 8th floor, Liz went way beyond what she needed to do to make sure that we had a large room. As I mentioned, our family is large and many of us were there. In addition, I left my coat in ER and Liz retrieved my coat and hunted me down to return it.
Many thanks to such a beautiful team of healthcare professionals. An update on my sister is that she is bouncing back. She is getting stronger every day. Our family is amazed that she doesn't even need her oxygen anymore. Every Saturday, a group of us siblings visit her, and now we can help her celebrate her 85th birthday!