Our Dad was admitted to the Surgical ICU the night before Thanksgiving for Streptococcal Pneumonia and Sepsis. He was vented and given a paralytic to help his body rest. Every day we faced high's and low's as my Dad fought for his life. We were given the news that he might not survive the next 24 hours, to the physician expressing surprise over his condition the next day, to realizing the lack of response from my Dad after the paralytic was removed could be his new baseline. We cried ourselves to sleep many nights throughout his struggle.

On an early December day in the morning, I quickly said a prayer and made the call to the Surgical ICU to get what became a fearful update. Dad's nurse, Stephanie Lilly, cheerfully greeted me and I was hopeful of what she may share. Stephanie informed me that our Dad in fact was awake and very much with it! Stephanie asked me if I had a iPhone because she would love to set us up a Facetime call later that day. That Facetime call will be one I will never forget! Not realizing this would be the last time I'd ever hear my Dad say he loved me!

Our Dad passed away three days later without us by his side as we live 6.5 hours away and had just returned home. Without Stephanie's compassion, I would not have this cherished memory to carry me through. Thank you so much, Stephanie, for making time and putting your patients and their families first! You truly are an Angel and we are so very thankful you were his nurse this day! You have a heart of gold and I pray the good Lord rewards you for your sweetness and compassion that you so easily bestow upon the patient's and families that you care for!