My husband, A, was a patient in the CVICU for almost a month after having triple bypass surgery and two heart valves replaced. A was on a vent, many different blood pressure medications and also dialysis and a balloon pump, and several chest tubes. Cal cared for not only my husband but also made sure that I was okay too whenever he was A's nurse, which was many times during my husband's stay. Cal also communicated with my daughter who is an ER nurse at a hospital in Nashville. Cal took the time to explain to me all the different medications and all the different machines that my husband had connected to his body as the staff at Methodist tried to save his life. Being in the CVICU, there always seemed to be alarms going off from the different machines and Cal never once seemed to be flustered or annoyed at the alarms. Cal remained calm, which allowed me to remain calm, and did what he was trained to do.

Unfortunately, the decision was made that A would no longer be kept alive by machines because that was his wish. Cal requested to be our nurse that day as the family said our goodbyes. I couldn't have asked for a kinder, gentler soul to be at my husband's bedside during this time. Cal was patient and understanding with the family and gave us our space during this most difficult time, but he was also by our side too. Words cannot express my gratitude for having such a caring and gentle person at our side.