Heather Hays
May 2021
Heather
Hays
,
RN
Jacksonville Dialysis, Keystone Division
DaVita
Jacksonville
,
IL
United States
Heather reached out to multiple family members.
We have a long-standing patient, G., here at Jacksonville Dialysis. Late last year, G. received the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis, and within the same week, G.’s husband passed away. All of our hearts here at the Jacksonville Clinic went out to G., but Heather took the extra steps and went above and beyond to help G. get through her difficult time. Heather knew from her interactions with G. that her spirit was crushed. Heather identified the signs of depression that were becoming apparent in G. Heather reached out to multiple family members of G.’s, and had several long conversations with each of them, about her concerns, and issues with G.’s health, and the up-hill road G. was facing with her cancer diagnosis, along with the recent loss of her husband. G. is a very private and proud person; her family did not recognize the emotional toll that the recent life-changing events have had on her. With Heather’s advice and direction, the family developed a plan to provide a support system at home. They began helping her with meds, food, frequent well-being checks, appointment reminders, and making sure she continued to come to dialysis. Today, G. is still coming to all of her dialysis treatments, she has finished her first round of radiation, and is on her third phase of chemotherapy. She continues to thrive living at home, with the help of her family support system, and the care she receives here at Jacksonville Dialysis, all thanks to Heather.