My dad was being cared for at this hospital for 4 days when he suddenly went into respiratory distress and was intubated. I got a call at 2 a.m. that I needed to drive down there because me and my sister were now his medical proxies. I was 18 years old and absolutely terrified about what was happening. When we arrived at the hospital, we met Nurse Janet in his room, and she explained what had happened over the last now 6 days. She told us absolutely everything we needed to know and then got the doctor for us for further information. This began a week of my father being on life support and during this time Janet helped me during this week I was faced with very difficult decisions. I received amazing support from Janet and all the ICU nurses on every decision I made for my dad's care. They thoroughly explained lab results, imaging results, how dialysis for the day went, where his other problems were at, and how they were able to manage it.

I work in healthcare, and I had wonderful conversations with those working in healthcare at these times, told them amazing stories about my father's life, and they did anything they could to ensure I was also comfortable. If he seemed more agitated or upset, they’d do what they could to keep him comfortable. When the day came to take my father off of life support the nurses supported us, encouraged us, and continued to give my dad absolutely amazing care. He was very agitated and angry while being intubated and they never let it affect the way they cared for him.

The 2 days he stayed in the ICU after being taken care of and on hospice he was really well cared for, made as comfortable as possible, and was eventually transferred to a more private room. I will never forget what those nurses gave me in those 2 horrible weeks of losing my father and there is nothing I can ever do to repay them for the care, kindness, and compassion they provided for my dad.