Abby Aston
January 2023
Abby
Aston
,
RN
Neuroscience Critical Care Unit
Penn State Health - Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey
,
PA
United States
Abby took it upon herself to get two roses and two cards from the breakroom (it was Valentine's Day) and have Him fill them out.
When giving Abby report for the night shift I was able to introduce her to Mr. K's wife, J, and his daughter, K. As soon as you spoke to either of them it was evident the love they had for their husband and father. Since Abby had already received report, she knew the troubling situation Mr. K was in; he was more than likely coming to the end of his life due to the severity of his end-stage heart failure.
He had made the decision earlier in the day to make himself a do not resituate and a do not intubate (DNR/DNI), this was a very difficult conversation for the whole family to endure because J and K did not wish to see Him coming closer to his end. Upon meeting J and K, Abby was able to put their minds at ease with her calm caring demeanor, offering to get them anything they would like while they were present at the bedside.
When I returned the following morning, I was fortunate enough to care for Mr. K again. During shift report Abby made mention that He was awake for about two hours overnight. During that time Abby took it upon herself to get two roses and two cards from the breakroom (it was Valentine's Day) and have Him fill them out. Abby asked if I could be sure to make sure J and K received them when they came in that day.
When J and K arrived that day, He was sleeping comfortably in his bed with his bedside table in front of him. The first thing J and K noticed were the roses in small vases and cards sitting there. Both of them had tears in their eyes while opening the cards and holding onto their roses. J said to me, she did not think she would be getting a card from Him this year since he was in the hospital and it would have been the first time in 50+ years she would not have received a card. K said to me that this may be the most special Valentine's Day card she ever received and she would cherish it forever. Both ladies were so grateful and touched by the caring thoughts of Abby that night. J said to me, "You truly do not realize how much the small things matter until you do not think you will have them again, and having that card was such a blessing." Over the next day or so, His condition worsened and he ultimately transitioned to comfort care.
He had made the decision earlier in the day to make himself a do not resituate and a do not intubate (DNR/DNI), this was a very difficult conversation for the whole family to endure because J and K did not wish to see Him coming closer to his end. Upon meeting J and K, Abby was able to put their minds at ease with her calm caring demeanor, offering to get them anything they would like while they were present at the bedside.
When I returned the following morning, I was fortunate enough to care for Mr. K again. During shift report Abby made mention that He was awake for about two hours overnight. During that time Abby took it upon herself to get two roses and two cards from the breakroom (it was Valentine's Day) and have Him fill them out. Abby asked if I could be sure to make sure J and K received them when they came in that day.
When J and K arrived that day, He was sleeping comfortably in his bed with his bedside table in front of him. The first thing J and K noticed were the roses in small vases and cards sitting there. Both of them had tears in their eyes while opening the cards and holding onto their roses. J said to me, she did not think she would be getting a card from Him this year since he was in the hospital and it would have been the first time in 50+ years she would not have received a card. K said to me that this may be the most special Valentine's Day card she ever received and she would cherish it forever. Both ladies were so grateful and touched by the caring thoughts of Abby that night. J said to me, "You truly do not realize how much the small things matter until you do not think you will have them again, and having that card was such a blessing." Over the next day or so, His condition worsened and he ultimately transitioned to comfort care.