I’d like to tell you about a remarkable nurse who cared for my wife while she was in the ICU at NWCH.  My wife was taken from the ER to the ICU not long after they got her blood results back.  She was delirious all night long, and the doctor told us she would need surgery by the next morning.  

Kayla stepped into our room shortly after her shift started and told us she would be my wife’s nurse for the day shift.  My wife was scheduled for surgery to remove a portion of dead bowel.  The doctor told us she was very sick, and when pressed he gave us a 50/50 chance of her making it through the surgery. Kayla started preparing my wife for her move to the OR.  The transition team came in and took my wife down, the surgeon had told my family it could be up to a 3 hour surgery.  Kayla told us we could wait in my wife's room or go get something to eat.  We decided to go eat but, within 15 minutes the surgeon called my cell phone and told me that he could not perform the surgery and that my wife would not survive it.  Her numbers were dropping fast, he met me and two of our children in a conference room and explained my wife was septic and would be lucky if she survived the day.

After the transition team brought my wife back to her room, Kayla began to make sure that everything was done to make my wife comfortable.  I explained that we had a son in Atlanta that was on his way up to Louisville via plane and should arrive around 6:30pm. I asked Kayla if there was any way possible to keep my wife alive long enough for our family to say goodbye, including our son from Atlanta.  Kayla said she could not promise but, would do her best.  

Kayla started to work hanging bags of fluid and monitors; making sure my wife was in no pain.  I don’t believe she ever stopped to take lunch that day, at least it seemed to me she was never out of the room that long.  She asked if any of my family needed a cup of coffee or anything; we politely declined.  

Kayla came in mid-way through the day and informed me that my wife had become her number one priority, and she would be the only patient she would be caring for the rest of her shift.  Another nurse had agreed to take over her other patient.  

Our son from Atlanta finally arrived and got to spend about an hour with his mother alone, while the rest of the family stepped out in the hallway.  

After that, we all agreed it was time, so I informed Kayla.  She and a member of the Respiratory Team removed the ventilator tube that had been installed for surgery but, never removed.  Kayla told us that my wife’s breathing would slow, and her vital signs would drop after she did not replenish any fluids.  

Within 20 minutes, my wife’s breathing slowed, and her vital signs started to drop faster, and then it was over.  

Kayla had just stepped out of the room for a minute and went up to the desk.  Her shift had ended a couple of hours ago, and she refused to start any paperwork or go home for the night.  She had informed her night replacement that she had this, she was our nurse to the end.  She came in with another nurse (as required by law) to pronounce my wife dead, it was now 9:08 pm.  She then walked over to me and told me how sorry she was for our loss.  Tears were streaming down her face as if she had lost a family member, and she had.  She became an honorary member of our family that day.  Still trying to help ease our pain, she asked if there was anything else that she could do for us.  I asked her if she could cut my wife’s bracelets off for me.  She cut them off and handed them to me, continuing to say how sorry she was for our loss.  

We found out that Kayla was going to be off for the next few days and that she would be married in the fall. Our whole family is so happy for her and wish her well.

I can’t think of anyone more fitting for an award for Compassionate and Caring Nurses who go above and beyond their duty.