Mr. D was admitted late in the afternoon. He was in obvious physical and emotional distress. He had been battling MDS for 5 years. Sabrina had taken care of Mr. D multiple times before and over the years had gotten to know his wife and children. During the admission process Mr. D admitted that he was depressed for a multitude of reasons, but one that weighed heavy on his mind was his upcoming wedding anniversary. He told Sabrina that he had not been able to shop and due to the growing ocular tumor he wasn't even able to peek at anything online or in a catalog. He became very tearful when he expressed that he knew he was dying and that this would be their last. Sabrina told him not to worry that if she found something, she would get it for him. This calmed the patient and he settled.

For the next three days for 12 hours each day, at the family's request Sabrina cared for Mr. D on 4W. He and the family did not want to be moved to the hospice unit because in their own words they felt they were "among family while on 4W". As Mr. D progressively got worse Sabrina not only implemented hospice protocols, and worked hand in hand with the hospice team, she treated the patient with dignity and respect, talking with him long after he had lost consciousness and explaining what she would be doing (turning, giving medications, administering eye drops, performing oral care) she did all this on an hourly rotation while taking care of her other three patients. She never forgot to include the family, to provide emotional support to them, and to answer any questions.

This exceptional level of care was taken to a whole other level when 24 hours before he passed Sabrina kept her promise, and delivered to the room a simple rectangular box wrapped in lavender paper with a card that said "For Jewel". She handed the box to Mr. D's wife and stated "This is for you from your husband, he sent me on a mission". She then quietly left the room to give the family privacy. Inside the lavender box was crystal picture frame decorated with wedding-bell's and engraved with a poem. After a while, Mrs. D came out of the room, she did not know what to say, and was overcome with emotion. She simply cried and said thank-you all the while holding onto the frame. Mrs. D set it up in the room and showed all of the family what her husband had gotten her, and how Sabrina had facilitated it.

Sadly, Mr. D died 18 hours later one day shy of their 45th wedding anniversary. He was surrounded by his family, his wife, children, brother and sister-in-law. Through all of this Sabrina was a shining example of empathy, kindness and true loving compassion. Sabrina had grown very close to the family over the years and Mr. D's death had a profound affect on her as it did everyone else that worked on 4W. However, it was through her hard work and labor of love that Mr. D and his family experienced a dignified and loving final goodbye, which was the best last gift Sabrina could give to one of our nation's Heroes.