On Wednesday our mom had a nephrology appointment with Dr. Brandys, who opted to assess her kidneys and heart in the hospital. Mom was not wanting to be admitted but after Dr. Brandys explained to her that it would be easier for her in the hospital, instead of numerous clinic appointments, she agreed. She was admitted to Cardiology, (3000) and was made comfortable and at ease with the nursing staff of Samantha Benson, Kaitlyn Laney, and Meghan Hoffman. At 86 years old, with many medical conditions, she was not wanting to have any more medical procedures. They did an ECHO on her heart, which started the conversations on what her options were. Dr. Kristopher Gage, her hospitalist on Thursday, comforted Mom with his bedside manner and agreed with her request; no more tests, procedures, or staying in the hospital. Mom respected Dr. Gage, as he was a provider who really listened to what she wanted and agreed with her choices. At 7:30 AM Friday morning, Dr. Gage clarified with our family that Mom was in her right mind to make her own decisions. Dr. Gage then moved forward with requesting Palliative Care. His explanation of Mom’s medical conditions with her choice to live life to the fullest, for as long as she could, helped us to move forward with Palliative Care. Dr. Gage spoke to us from his heart and gave us the strength and peace of mind that helped us agree on the right decision for her. Dr. Gage explained the ‘hard choice’ was the option Mom wanted. Her wish was to let go and let be, so she could be at peace. Dr. Gage, worked with Mom’s nurse, Marissa Jaeger, Friday morning to arrange a meeting with the Palliative Care team. At 1:00 PM, we had the Palliative Care team, Charlotte Bain, and Sarah Heckel meet with Mom and our family. The Palliative Care team explained to us (mom included) the process of what would happen, getting hospice involved. By discharging Mom from Sanford and going back to her Nursing home she would be: less anxious, be around caregivers she knows, have less of a chance of contracting an infection, have her pain controlled, and be “free” as she wanted. The Palliative Care Team along with Carrie Addengast, RN, Case Manager, helped get things moving very quickly with the Nursing Home in Brandon. Mom was discharged from Sanford and in by 4:30 PM Friday afternoon. Carrie did a great job of getting things arranged with the nursing home, so mom was back in her familiar environment before the weekend started. A special thank you to Ellie Schellinger with the DeGroot Center for the book, “Hard Choices for Loving People by Hank Dunn. This book was very helpful for all of us, to understand that the decisions made were the right ones for Mom. The team effort to coordinate all the many pieces of this puzzle was appreciated. Thank you from Mom and our family for putting that smile on her face and giving her what she requested, To Be Free!