Erin was our Dad's nurse for his last 2 nights in CCU. Dad had been intubated for several days prior. At this point, he was extubated but still critically ill. On the second of the 2 nights in Erin's care, I finished my shift on Labor and Delivery and went down to CCU to tuck him in. My husband and I stayed until visiting hours finished. Before we left, I checked in with Erin to discuss his plan of care for the night. She told me of her night before with him and I was comforted that she was familiar with his needs. I knew I was leaving him in very capable hands and after a long shift, I went home to get some sleep to be back the next day to see him.

At 10:45 pm I was called by Dr. K who told me that Dad was not doing well and that we should return to CCU. When my husband and I arrived, Dad was struggling to breathe and was not responding. The decision was quickly made to change the plan of care to CMO. I felt very supported by Erin as well as Dr. K. My husband called our immediate family which consisted of 10 additional family members (my husband is one of 8 children). Erin was wonderful. She pulled in extra chairs, she put Youtube up on the computer in the room so we could play music for him. She worked quietly around us.

Every time she came into the room, she explained what was happening and would end by asking what she could do for us. She was so kind. When Dad passed, she gave us the time we needed with him, she was so respectful of our family. She gave us hugs and condolences, for that night she felt like one of the family. Erin's final gift to us was the "heartbeats" in the little vials. We will treasure them forever.