My husband, had surgery that we thought would be routine. It was anything but. He ended up in 2 North ICU that night with the doctor's ominous message, "If he survives the night". When they had my husband settled into his ICU room, I was ushered in, along with my two children. Kate Radclliff was the nurse on duty and the angel of our first days in the unit. She had the loveliest, friendliest smile, touched me on my arm and said, "It's okay to be mad at him. It's okay to tell him that you are." I knew from those words and her demeanor that she was the perfect person to be in charge of our guy. Our whole family was there that night. My husband's brothers, their wives, and our children and their spouses. She was kind to everyone and inclusive. When my sister in law wrote on the family white board space, "Docks out in 13 days" (we have a family cabin up north), Kate looked a little puzzled and said, "You know that's not really very realistic, don't you?" And then she proceeded to laugh along with all of us. Humor was a big part of getting us through this nightmare. Kate took care of my husband for 5 of his first days in the ICU. She was kind, loving and kept my husband going. We all think he was a little sweet on her (yes, we all knew he was in a medically induced coma, but he seemed to respond so well to her ministrations). She gave us hope that we desperately needed and was always honest and forthright about what was going on (I am a former RN, so I really understand how amazing the care she gave to my husband and us was).
Kate had a 2 week trip to Spain planned at the end of my husband's first week, and it was with tears and hugs that we said goodbye to her, not knowing if we would see her again. During the first couple days after Kate left, my husband had a couple set-backs and as a testament to her amazing care and spirit, my brother-in-law seriously wanted to pay to fly her back to care for our guy. In Kate's absence, my husband was cared for by a team of fabulous nurses who knew what we needed (lots of hugs for me for sure) as well what he needed to be kept stable and progressing until a bed was available at the University of Minnesota. I will tell you that I left Methodist Hospital, kicking and screaming (I knew the Pancreas team at the U was where he should be, but I felt so cared for at Methodist.)
Sadly, my husband's story did not end happily. He passed away at the University after an ugly battle to survive an ugly disease. Kate sent the most beautiful card following his death, showing again what a true angel she is. And why we are so grateful to have had her in our lives.