My dad was readmitted to the ICU after making it all the way to inpatient rehab. When he was readmitted, I rushed as quickly as I could (3 hours away) to be with him as I knew we were fighting a heavy battle. I was SO thankful (as was my dad) that the nurse readmitting him was Brian. The familiarity of his voice calmed my fears allowing me to drive safely knowing that he was in good hands. We respected Brian, he was always thinking of ways to take better care of my dad. During his first admission, he worked hard to stop skin breakdown, and make sure he was comfortable. He found out answers to many questions and most importantly showed compassion to our entire family. Throughout the stay Brian was vital in providing quality care, answering many questions via phone, and my dad loved that Brian would tell him like it was. He was also great at dialing the phone for my dad so that he could talk when his hands weren't working.
The day after readmission I met Ashley for the first time. Ashley came in and changed the game. She asked questions about his history and my struggles and listened in the most engaging way. She picked up on many things that had not been, within an hour she had the caseworker arrange a room for me at the Rathbun House, had Palliative Care come by to see me, had the Dr. agree to a change pain medications, including IV Tylenol (brilliant), gotten him his Bariatric Bed back and cleaned him head to toe. I told my own nursing staff via our closed Facebook group "I don't know if my dad is going to make it or not, but I can tell you that if he doesn't it won't be a lack of trying on Ashley's part, and she has touched our lives forever, and she doesn't know how much". Her ability to make us feel loved and cared for as her own family continued through his death. We had many laughs and enjoyed our time with Ashley.
Brittany, another angel. She continued every aspect of care right where Ashley left it. She made us laugh, was attentive to my dad's every need, and went out of her way to console me and support me in ways that are above and beyond. I felt that she always had his best interest at heart, was always present, I never had to search for her. She was with us on the day he passed and I couldn't have asked for a better show of respect, support, and advocacy for my dad. She knew that I had been there for several days, over a week at that point. She had seen us taking shifts and becoming exhausted. The morning he passed it was exceptionally quiet as most will always remember how many visitors my dad had coming and going. She took it upon herself to get additional music from her car as she knew my dad's favorite was Gospel Bluegrass and started some aromatherapy of lavender because she was thoughtful of my well-being during such a difficult time. Her respectful compassion was touching during the most difficult of times. Due to the timeline of when he would be picked up and my need to go home after being gone from my children for nine days, per my request she recorded and sent the video of my dad being taken out in his flag-covered box and the respect that was shown to him until the very end. I will forever be thankful for her support and love.
Other team members that showed amazing emotional support and poured their very best into my dad's care were Mary on nightshift, Dwayne, Jamie (I believe a Float Nurse), Sam, and Brianna. All of these people were instrumental in providing excellent care and supporting our family during such a difficult time. Some were involved in both admissions. While I don't have grand detail like the 3 nurses above, every small detail I do have was important. Mary and Dwayne were the quietest, being careful not to disturb us. Jamie was always so kind and provided many words of encouragement. Sam once went to every floor trying to find my dad a snack...because it was important to my dad and helped clean him up on more than one occasion, which was deserving of a reward. Brianna was so sweet and worked hard to make sure he was well cared for and listened and responded to all of our requests.
I know from experience what it is like to take care of patients who have family present that work in the medical field, I have high expectations. The ICU unit exceeded every.single.one. My organization has core values that your staff exemplify- Respectful Compassion-I impact life's most sacred moments, Deep Interdependence- I can't do my job without you, Passion for Excellence- I bring my best every day. You have a jewel of a unit, your group denounces assumptions about VA care through their actions every day.
Another amazing care team member I CANNOT leave out is JR Gentry. DO NOT EVER LOSE HIM. He took the BEST care of my dad, and my heart was settled knowing that he would do post-mortem care. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would be respectful and caring. I will forever be thankful for him.
It is an odd feeling to miss people that I only knew for a moment in life but goes to show how impactful their care was. Please wish them all the best, and if any of them wish to contact me I would love to tell them all of the above myself.
In Love and Honor of my Dad