A dear friend and valued colleague passed away in October from a terrible, very aggressive lung cancer. Sharon went above and beyond in her care during her last few days. Our friend went off hospice to get palliative radiation and blood transfusions because she “still had a few things she needed to do before she left.” She finished writing notes and recording videos for her kids during that time, sustaining enough energy from the transfusions to make it happen.

Several days later, she turned downward and was admitted to comfort care at BGH. Sharon was the nursing supervisor during that time. Our dear patient was very sensitive and had EPS symptoms to the most common drug used in comfort care/hospice; The medications weren’t relaxing her. They were actually having the opposite effect. Sharon took it upon herself to call Hospice House for recommendations, got her on a versed drip, and she was immediately comfortable, alert, and awake when desired. Sharon taught the new night nurses how to care for her, more importantly, how to be comfortable with the medication. Her communication and compassion for the patient, her family, and our nursing staff were extraordinary. She came in, even though she was not on shift, and was with the staff, many of them new nurses when our dear patient passed. Sharon reminded the staff that it’s ok to cry and encouraged it. She reminded them that being present during a patient’s last days and breaths is a gift and that all the staff there did an amazing job.

Sharon is a great example of what it looks like to make a difference for a patient, family members, and the staff during a very difficult time. She provided exceptional care and compassion for not only the patient and her family but for the staff as well.