April 2022
Kate
M. Lenahan
,
BSN, RN, OCN
Surgical Oncology
Providence Portland Medical Center
Portland
,
OR
United States
I am forever grateful to have had Kate’s compassionate care for P and me.
Kate was a rock for me on the day I made the difficult decision to ask for my husband of 45 years to be placed on comfort care. A fall and broken hip brought him to the hospital and complications following surgery required many heartbreaking decisions to be made. As an advocate and medical proxy for P, I knew he wanted no interventions. He developed Alzheimer’s 10 years ago and never wanted to live in an impaired state. It was Kate who supported my decision not to probe further and let nature take its course with comfort care. She offered assurance even as the doctor on call questioned my decisions. I am forever grateful to have had Kate’s compassionate care for P and me. I only interacted with Kate one day – a critical day in my life. She made all the difference!