My 92-year-old Mom arrived at Beaumont from a skilled care facility when her oxygen levels dropped to a dangerous level. The ER diagnosis was pneumonia, and she was admitted. There was no visitation, but I was able to check her daily progress by calling into the nurses' station. She was doing well for a couple of days but then Mom started to decline and at 11:30 on a Friday night I received a call that things were turning for the worse. With tears, I just laid in bed thinking of my Mom being alone. Twenty minutes later I received a call from Beaumont, and they would allow two family members visitation.

My wife and I rushed to Beaumont. That’s when we met Deanna, Mom’s nurse. She helped us understand the seriousness of the situation in a tone that felt like family. It was very emotional for me; Deanna quickly handed me a box of tissue along with a gentle shoulder hug. I didn’t want to leave Mom’s side but wasn’t sure what the hospital would allow. Deanna heard and the next thing I knew I had a sheet, blankets, and a pillow. Unbeknownst to me the chair by Mom’s bed was broken and wouldn’t recline; in comes Deanna with a different chair. She started putting sheets on the chair, but I thanked her and took over making my bed.

Something I never even considered was eating. Deanna took care of that before she left her shift. One very special person. Different staff managed my Mom’s care Saturday and Sunday, each one very kind and compassionate, but there was something extra special about Deanna. Monday morning, in walks Deanna. I mentioned how glad I was to see her again, she sat down to briefly catch up on how we were doing. It wasn’t long before I noticed Deanna’s attention was on my Mom and not our conversation. Deanna was with my wife and me that morning at 11:00 when Mom peacefully passed. Having Deanna and my wife with me as Mom passed meant the world to me. Was it a coincidence Mom waited until Monday? I choose to believe fate played a part.