The ICU has had the honor and privilege of caring for a particular patient since April. This patient is not doing well and it's expected that her life on this earth will end within the next few weeks. She is married but she has been living with her sister and her husband lives in Tennessee. The patient was informed this week that she had some decisions to make regarding end of life. She insisted that her spouse be notified. He was contacted earlier this week and told us he would be making the trip from Tennessee to see his wife. He arrived Wednesday. This morning the two of them made the decision for Hospice care. Arrangements were made for their departure from the facility today.
The patient's spouse asked to see a minister before his wife left the facility. He had informed the staff that they wanted to renew their wedding vows. Dawn Tilton contacted and arranged for a local minister to come to the facility as requested by the spouse. The minister arrived shortly after being notified and within minutes of his arrival and entering the patient's room, all staff members who were present in the ICU, including residents and physicians, gathered in the room as the couple renewed their wedding vows. Due to the patient's condition, she slept through most of the small service, but I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this priceless moment that meant so much to the patient and her spouse. I am truly amazed at the level of compassion that was represented in this patient's room today. I believe that this simple ceremony made a lasting impression on this couple and it also touched the hearts of those in attendance as they surrounded her bed. This is a real-life example of compassionate care and a reminder of why we do what we do for those that are hurting. The art of caring is alive and well at MCW and was exemplified today.