As a sentry, Katie watched over and protected my son in ways. She was vigilant to attend to all of his needs and anticipated any unmet needs that my son could not communicate. Katie provided timely and thorough care, at no time did I need seek her out. She was available for every bell, buzzer, and whistle. She communicated with my son as she tended to him and she provided her care with compassion. Katie did not manhandle my son, he was not an object, but a person. She brushed his teeth with care and precision. Katie went so far as to anticipate the needs/wants that my son could not communicate to her, such as whether he would be comfortable in the manner his head and arms were placed. She cleaned his perineal area completely and provided moisturizer for comfort. Her care was complete. Her care of my son represents her character as a person.
As a healer, Katie was very attentive to J's body, mind, and spirit. Katie always made sure that the little things (which were big things) were done. She would make sure that the prayer shawl that covered J was always replaced when she completed his care.
When J was on a low stimulation environment, Katie respected that. If we spoke of things that might be inappropriate or negative for J to hear, we would speak away from J. Katie wass attentive to the things that appear insignificant, but make a difference.
As a guide Katie walked beside me as I went through this nightmare. I was so prayerful that J was going to survive his accident. Katie didn't rob me of that hope, but reminded me how injured my son was. As I look back and reflect on this, I realize that God used Katie to prepare me for J's passing.
As a teacher, Katie worked cooperatively with others in the care of my son. I was very sensitive to getting my son the care he deserved without creating a hostile environment where he might not get the care he deserved.
As a leader, Katie went above and beyond. She effected a change and influenced the direction of my son's final moments. At my son's passing, J was required to undergo an autopsy based on Minnesota law. I did not want an autopsy performed as my son had been through enough and I just wanted to bring him home to Florida as soon as possible. I asked Katie if I could waive the requirement. Katie took the initiative to find the answer, and, as a result of her diligence, the coroner agreed to waive the requirement and use his medical records instead. His body was released to the funeral home immediately. Also, I started to fear my decision about organ donation and wanted to withdraw my consent. I was not comfortable with his time of death being simultaneous with the commencement of surgery. Katie placed a call to the organ donation team and learned that my son was not a viable candidate for donation. These were issues that I no longer had to stress over as I spent the last moments of my son's life with him.
Katie was present with me in the Care Team meeting where I made the decision to withdraw life support for my son. This was the most separate and helpless moment of my life. Katie was not a nurse on this day, she was an angel. Katie continued to provide the same tender, loving care that she had. She continued to brush his teeth. She continued to talk to him. And she was there for me. She sat with me throughout the shift and wanted to talk about my son. She asked who he was as a person. She listened to me as I grieved and reflected on my experience at the Critical Care Unit. She gave me the support I needed during this time.
Katie was very sensitive to my need to know J's progressions of deterioration and kept me informed of his oxygen saturation throughout the day. Katie told me that my son was very sick and indicated that he would pass before even when the doctors were expecting. When he passed less than 12 hours from the time we withdrew support services, I realized that I made the right decision. Katie's honesty and compassion gave me the strength to make the decision.