November 2022
Sarah Beth
Seal
,
RN
NSCC
Ochsner Medical Center- Main Campus New Orleans
New Orleans
,
LA
United States
As the ambulance pulled away, Sara Beth was right there as I completely fell apart. She held me outside for I don’t even know how long, and said nothing and just let me cry, which was the only thing I needed at that moment, and she could feel it.
My co-worker Sara Beth took care of G, my very best friend in the entire world, for three days in the Neuro ICU. Not only was G my best friend, but she was also one of Ochsner’s own RNs for over 7 years. Through the dedication and work of countless people from Main Campus and Baton Rouge, she came into the hands of the very best team of Ochsner’s finest. And Sara Beth was, without a doubt, an absolute angel during those last few days before she went home with Hospice. Every time she was in the room, she had a smile on her face, a heart full of joy, and the most empathy, care, and understanding that I’ve ever witnessed in my own 10 years of nursing.
When the EEG was finally removed from G, Sara Beth, G’s sister, and I spent 45 minutes combing the glue out of her hair with the conditioner Sara Beth brought from home for her. She got “special ICU permission” to get G in the shower! She washed her hair and helped her put on “real clothes”. And you know in ICU, those things just don’t happen. Haha, but Sara Beth made them happen. She helped her sister get set up to brush and blow dry G’s hair after her shower because she had some visitors coming.
She helped G’s family order their guest meals, and as soon as they were delivered, she ran and got them a hot cup of coffee and knew just the way they liked it. She listened to her family cry and break down and ask questions, but she was also respectful of their time with her as well, always letting them know she was there for all of them, whatever they needed.
When the ambulance arrived to bring her home with hospice, she rode the elevator and walked all the way down with sweet G, holding her hand and mine, because she could feel my heart breaking. As the ambulance pulled away, Sara Beth was right there as I completely fell apart. She held me outside for I don’t even know how long, and said nothing and just let me cry, which was the only thing I needed at that moment, and she could feel it. She held my hand all the way back up to the room to get the rest of my things. And in the days following, she continued to reach out and check on me and get updates on G.
I would be remiss without saying that I cannot imagine how hard this was for Sara Beth too. Although she didn’t know G personally, Sara Beth is my co-worker and friend, and having to care for a situation so close to home in more ways than one, must have been utterly heartbreaking. But she cared for my sweet friend with such joy, poise, grace, and compassion it was truly astonishing and inspiring to watch.
Sara Beth, when we talk about those last few days in the hospital with the “glitter king”, the Bundt cake eating, all the laughs, and the memories we made…you, my dear, will always be a part of that story. Always. Thank you for being there for G’s family, for G, and for me. G and I would always say, “It isn’t about having the MOST time, it’s about MAKING the most of the time you have”. And because of you, we all made the MOST of that time with her. So, thank you. With deepest, deepest gratitude, Sara Beth, thank you!
When the EEG was finally removed from G, Sara Beth, G’s sister, and I spent 45 minutes combing the glue out of her hair with the conditioner Sara Beth brought from home for her. She got “special ICU permission” to get G in the shower! She washed her hair and helped her put on “real clothes”. And you know in ICU, those things just don’t happen. Haha, but Sara Beth made them happen. She helped her sister get set up to brush and blow dry G’s hair after her shower because she had some visitors coming.
She helped G’s family order their guest meals, and as soon as they were delivered, she ran and got them a hot cup of coffee and knew just the way they liked it. She listened to her family cry and break down and ask questions, but she was also respectful of their time with her as well, always letting them know she was there for all of them, whatever they needed.
When the ambulance arrived to bring her home with hospice, she rode the elevator and walked all the way down with sweet G, holding her hand and mine, because she could feel my heart breaking. As the ambulance pulled away, Sara Beth was right there as I completely fell apart. She held me outside for I don’t even know how long, and said nothing and just let me cry, which was the only thing I needed at that moment, and she could feel it. She held my hand all the way back up to the room to get the rest of my things. And in the days following, she continued to reach out and check on me and get updates on G.
I would be remiss without saying that I cannot imagine how hard this was for Sara Beth too. Although she didn’t know G personally, Sara Beth is my co-worker and friend, and having to care for a situation so close to home in more ways than one, must have been utterly heartbreaking. But she cared for my sweet friend with such joy, poise, grace, and compassion it was truly astonishing and inspiring to watch.
Sara Beth, when we talk about those last few days in the hospital with the “glitter king”, the Bundt cake eating, all the laughs, and the memories we made…you, my dear, will always be a part of that story. Always. Thank you for being there for G’s family, for G, and for me. G and I would always say, “It isn’t about having the MOST time, it’s about MAKING the most of the time you have”. And because of you, we all made the MOST of that time with her. So, thank you. With deepest, deepest gratitude, Sara Beth, thank you!