Sarah Combs
May 2023
Sarah
Combs
,
BSN, RN-BC
4 Main
WellSpan York Hospital
York
,
PA
United States
Sarah asked kindly if the patient's wife would like to have a picture of them holding hands. The wife, with tears in her eyes, said, "This is probably the last time I will hold my husband's hand. I would love that."
I wanted to take the time to recognize a very special individual - Sarah Combs. Sarah is our clinical coordinator on 4 Main. She is always out circulating the unit and assisting the staff in day-to-day operations. There was one particular day that Sarah touched the hearts of not only me but the patient and the family members of my patient.
I was caring for an actively dying patient that was admitted to hospice services. The patient's wife was also a patient on our floor at the same time. Sarah had assisted me with bringing my patient's wife over to the room to visit with him and share some final words, prayers, and sentiments. The patient had a beautiful visit with her husband, but toward the end of the visit, I could see that the patient was starting to get upset and asked to return to her room rather abruptly. Sarah happened to be outside the room and went in. What I witnessed her do next was the most special thing! She sat down next to the patient and the patient's wife. The patient's wife had her personal cell phone in her hand because she was showing videos of their puppy to her husband. Sarah listened while the patient reminisced about their lives together. Sarah asked kindly if the patient's wife would like to have a picture of them holding hands. The wife, with tears in her eyes, said, "This is probably the last time I will hold my husband's hand. I would love that." Sarah took the picture of only their hands together with the patient's cell phone. Sarah assisted the patient's wife back to her room. Not too long after that took place, my patient passed away.
The patient's daughter came in a minute later after the passing of my patient. I had just pronounced the patient's time of death, and the daughter was extremely distraught and almost fell to the floor in tears. I got her a chair, and Sarah consoled her with the most beautiful words. She also took the time to go get the patient's wife and bring her back over to say one last goodbye to her husband and spend time with the family. As they shared memories of their father and husband, the patient's wife made it a point to share with the family the picture that Sarah took for her of their hands together one last time. The family was in awe of the picture. It was such a special sentiment to them and to the patient's wife. They contacted Sarah later to let her know that they had the picture developed and framed, and it is now hanging in their home.
Sarah's caring actions and compassionate words helped this family through a time of grief and sorrow. I was so happy that Sarah was there that day! It was truly a beautiful moment and sentiment for them to be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives.
I was caring for an actively dying patient that was admitted to hospice services. The patient's wife was also a patient on our floor at the same time. Sarah had assisted me with bringing my patient's wife over to the room to visit with him and share some final words, prayers, and sentiments. The patient had a beautiful visit with her husband, but toward the end of the visit, I could see that the patient was starting to get upset and asked to return to her room rather abruptly. Sarah happened to be outside the room and went in. What I witnessed her do next was the most special thing! She sat down next to the patient and the patient's wife. The patient's wife had her personal cell phone in her hand because she was showing videos of their puppy to her husband. Sarah listened while the patient reminisced about their lives together. Sarah asked kindly if the patient's wife would like to have a picture of them holding hands. The wife, with tears in her eyes, said, "This is probably the last time I will hold my husband's hand. I would love that." Sarah took the picture of only their hands together with the patient's cell phone. Sarah assisted the patient's wife back to her room. Not too long after that took place, my patient passed away.
The patient's daughter came in a minute later after the passing of my patient. I had just pronounced the patient's time of death, and the daughter was extremely distraught and almost fell to the floor in tears. I got her a chair, and Sarah consoled her with the most beautiful words. She also took the time to go get the patient's wife and bring her back over to say one last goodbye to her husband and spend time with the family. As they shared memories of their father and husband, the patient's wife made it a point to share with the family the picture that Sarah took for her of their hands together one last time. The family was in awe of the picture. It was such a special sentiment to them and to the patient's wife. They contacted Sarah later to let her know that they had the picture developed and framed, and it is now hanging in their home.
Sarah's caring actions and compassionate words helped this family through a time of grief and sorrow. I was so happy that Sarah was there that day! It was truly a beautiful moment and sentiment for them to be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives.