My dad has had many ups and downs with his health in the past few years and he became quite ill. He was transferred from a nursing home to the Emergency Room, he then moved on to the Medical/Surgical Unit to get stable, had surgery to try to resolve a bowel obstruction, and was then moved into the CCU after the surgery. That is where I met Tamra Koehler. She was the RN assigned to my dad.
My dad has many complications but through the short time he was in the CCU, Tamra never made me feel like I was a bother or that I was in the way. She answered every question I had with kindness, compassion, thoughtfulness, and concern. Even when I was just looking at my dad not knowing what his outcome would be, her presence was enough to put some of my nervousness at ease due to so many unknowns with his status. For the first time in the past few years, I felt like I could be his daughter and not have to advocate and push for someone to really care for him. He was treated with absolute respect by the entire staff.
Looking back, not realizing he was in the last day, that is exactly how a family member should want to feel regardless of the patient’s outcome. That they can be the family and not wonder if someone really cares about their family member and not feel like they are being a nuisance.
Tamra guided us through my dad’s passing with grace, professionalism, and genuine compassion. My dad had only been in her care in the CCU for about 36 hours, but it truly felt like she was hurting for us. I could not have imagined going through that with any other Nurse by my side. Tamra will forever be etched into my memories of the last two days of my dad’s life.
Tamra may not even realize the impact those simple actions and words have and she is truly an incredible Nurse and human. I could never put into words how thankful I am for her.