At the beginning of the shift yesterday, Tia's patient was very tearful. She sat down on the bed, took the patient's hand in hers and listened to the patient who informed her that today was the day of her son's memorial service at Mt. Solo. After listening to the patient, Tia learned that the patient's spouse had passed away in June three months prior to their 73rd wedding anniversary. The son had passed away a few weeks ago, the family had a traditional service but yesterday would have been the son's 71st birthday. The son was a vet and the service yesterday was an intimate service with only immediate family members as the son was to be honored for his service. The patient had Tia in tears as she was so distraught over not being able to attend.
Tia needed to find a way for the patient to be able to participate in the honorary service. Tia asked the patient if she could contact one of her daughters. The patient gave Tia the phone number and she asked the daughter if she had an iPhone. The daughter stated she did have an iPhone, Tia asked the daughter if she would be OK if she allowed the patient to use her iPhone to be able to facetime during the service allowing the patient to be able to take part of the ceremony without being able to be present. Tia proceeded to give the daughter her cell number. The daughter came to visit the patient prior to the service and Tia explained to the daughter how facetime works. The daughter was extremely thankful. A few minutes prior to the start of the service, Tia sat down with the patient and taught a 92-year-old how to facetime. She couldn't believe that she could see herself as well as the other end of the conversation. Tia gave the patient a box of Kleenex and made sure the patient would not be interrupted during this time. Tia asked the patient if she would like to be alone and offered to sit with her if she didn't want to be alone. Tia sat with the patient for a few minutes until the grandson arrived.
After leaving the grandson and patient alone to view the remainder of the ceremony, Tia called the chaplain and requested the chaplain to visit that patient. Tia ran down to the gift shop and purchased a small flower arrangement for the patient. She delivered the small arrangement to the patient as the chaplain was visiting the patient.