T was a miracle at birth who wasn't given much time to live due to being born with Spina Bifida and complications related to the condition. Her entire life she was overcoming hurdles such as rearing her only child (F) which was assumed that neither would survive; being diagnosed with CKD which led to total renal failure, thus causing her to be on hemodialysis for seven years; and batting through countless comorbidities and complications such as STEMIs, CVA, HTN, and sepsis to name a few. She had the heart and mind of a warrior but a body that couldn't keep up, yet she never complained about her disability nor let it limit her. This woman is my mother.
On Sunday my mother entered Med Center ED where she would begin her final battle. Subsequently, after being admitted, T found her way to the CCU where Carrie, among others, began tending to her critical condition. The Physician(s) fully informed the family about the serious nature of the septic shock and the options we had; I was Mom's POA, so these decisions rested on my shoulders. Wanting to give my mom every possible chance to recover, the order was given to pursue aggressive treatment to the absolute limits of medicine though the outcome looked bleak. This is where Carrie far exceeded my expectations as a medical professional and compassionate human. For the next three nights, until my mom ultimately passed, Carrie was in Mom's room from evening to morning, several times an hour, frequently missing meals and charting ensuring Mom received the highest level of care she could provide. Mom was intubated, placed on CRRT, had a myriad of medications running, and was constantly being evaluated. Carrie saw to it that every physician, and our family, was fully and completely informed of Mom's situation. Having a limited amount of medical experience, Carrie would explain things to me in greater detail so I could be fully informed with the decisions to come. Also, it was the little things that Carrie did that really showed she cared for my mom as more than a patient. I stayed with my mom one night and Carrie was always conscious of me sleeping and tried not to disturb me as she managed more equipment and medicines than any one person should. While I was resting, Carrie tended to my mom's hygiene by washing her hair and cleaning her up. I usually see CNAs performing tasks like these, not Nurses with as much on their plate as Carrie. Carrie would tell stories and try to educate me or my girlfriend (who is a nursing student) when we had questions. Carrie's level of skill and compassion is unparalleled. This continued until Thursday when Mom's condition began to regress after everything medically could be done; the decision was made to change the care plan to comforting measures. Mom passed that afternoon. This was the most traumatic experience in my life, but Carrie made it a little easier by comforting me and reassuring me that I made the most rational decision given the circumstances. Additionally, Carrie stopped by the funeral home after getting off her shift to pay her final respects and comfort the family one last time. Nurses like this are elusive and rare. Carrie reflected highly upon her profession, the Med Center, and herself by performing to the utmost standards and keeping within the highest traditions of medicine.