April 2024
Alyssa L.
Beinert
,
RN
Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
UNC Medical Center
Chapel Hill
,
NC
United States
Alyssa had made a Valentine’s card with sparkling heart stickers. She had interviewed B about his love for me, added chocolates, and put it all in the bag for me.
I had been with my husband every single day through an 18-month journey into cancer care. He was deteriorating and had been transitioned. His cognition was limited. It was a few days before Valentine’s Day, the anniversary of our first date in 1965 (59 years ago). I was not feeling well and stayed home for the first time in all those months. Alyssa was his nurse. I spoke to her by phone. She made sure he got meals and that he understood I would not be in that day. She called me and got his phone code (he could not remember it) and had him call me twice to reassure him that I was ok. The next day, when I went back to his room, there was a gift bag. Alyssa had made a Valentine’s card with sparkling heart stickers. She had interviewed B about his love for me, added chocolates, and put it all in the bag for me. A few days later, as his condition deteriorated and he was eating softer foods, I forgot to order his favorite orange Jello. Alyssa was not our assigned nurse that day but made a trip to the food service and got a Jello order expedited to B's room. Add all of this to her professional competence, caring manner, and attention to the needs of both patient and caregiver, and I think she certainly deserves a DAISY Award! All of this is extra special to me because a few days later, B passed away. Alyssa has left me with some very special memories.