I am a friend of the S's family who passed away two months ago in the PICU at Centennial. While all of the staff in both the oncology program and the PICU showed her the care and compassion that both her mother and she needed throughout her journey, there was one nurse who went above and beyond her duties to make sure that this family had exactly what they needed even if that was a shoulder to cry on or a person to sit in silence to make sure that her mother knew that she wasn't alone. Instead of using my own words, I would like to share the comment her mother has shared publicly on her social media about this nurse in particular which only represents a small price of her appreciation for this nurse.
"It was time...S's miracle would not happen this side of heaven."
I knew S would not want to be 50%...I don't think she would even be happy with 75%... so who are we to try to keep her for OUR selfish reasons.
The most kind, caring, compassionate nurse continued to help me through the rest of the day.....talking me through things that would/could take place. Then she passed me on to yet an equally compassionate team who helped us get S ready for her journey home. I don't think we slept...I tried to soak in as much time with her as possible.
Now when I tell you how wonderful our nurses were, I'm not exaggerating, but this nurse was "OUR" nurse. She was there I think at 7 am. She sat with me, she cried with me and she told me every single step that was going to happen.
She prepared me as best she could.
She told me to take as much time as we wanted that this was OUR time. She only left the room when she needed to. I can honestly say I know she loved my daughter.
S slipped off into the gates of HEAVEN at 12:38 pm Saturday surrounded by so many who loved her. We prayed and cried and talked to her as she left this world. I laid my head on her chest as she took some of her last breaths, while my heart broke in two... Walking away from her and leaving her.