I would like to nominate the Acute Care Nursing Team as a small token of appreciation for the nurses who cared for my husband R. When my husband was admitted to the Acute Care Nursing Unit, I had not anticipated that it would be our final weeks together.

My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to the bone and brain. Throughout the 6 weeks to follow, we had one challenge after another… It was the nurses who helped us endure what I now understand as the final chapter of my life with R. The nurses, no matter how challenged, displayed positive attitudes, professionalism, knowledge, and compassion. Everyone did a super job of explaining what they were doing and quickly answered any questions I had. This helped put me at ease during a very stressful time.

As my husband’s pain increased, the nurses were very thorough in their assessments and strategies to manage his pain, they moved him with caution and attended to details when his grip became unsteady, and his legs could no longer support him as they once did.

I was at my husband’s side, day and night, throughout the duration of the stay. One night when R was having a restless night, the nurse and nurse assistant caring for him were in the room multiple times. He would tell them he needed some privacy when he was in the restroom. It would have been easy for them to let him alone and step out. Instead, they compassionately shared that they wanted to stay nearby in case he accidentally fell. They communicated this with respect and in a manner that, although he was a very private man, he would allow them to stay nearby without feeling uncomfortable with them nearby. I appreciated their professional communication skills to be able to respect his requests yet have a balance with concern for his safety.

During his stay, the nurses were so helpful and sympathetic to our needs. Thank you!”