My mom was admitted for a biopsy.  Two days earlier, she was diagnosed with Brain Cancer.  The surgery didn't go as hoped and she hemorrhaged, losing left side capabilities and unknown cognitive function. Now, instead of facing just brain cancer, which seems bad enough, my mom had no left-side movement, and we didn't know what cognitive function she had lost or would be able to regain.   

Enter Sam:  We were blessed when God gave us Sam after my mom was transferred to PCU.  Sam was our nurse and he was absolutely amazing.  At one point, he just sat with my dad and me and listened to our concerns about her care and our devastation.  He was beyond compassionate.  In addition, he took such beautiful care of my mom.  He was kind and gently treated her like a person who is dearly loved and not just a body in a bed.  No matter how frazzled or exhausted we were, Sam was a tremendous support.  We had Sam for two more nights and trusted him beyond any measure words can share with the care of my mom.  My mom was disoriented and agitated much of the time.  We were exhausted, but Sam never wavered in his care.  We were moved to the 4th floor.  Sam came back on shift in PCU and heard she had moved. He came up to see my mom just because he cared.  He worked his shift and then sought out my mom just to check-in. After consulting with the hospital doctor and Neurology, my mom was moved back to PCU.  We had other great nurses in PCU, but none that could match Sam.  

Days later, we were moved to the 3rd floor.  I took a personal thank you note down to PCU to leave for Sam but happened to see him in the hall in person.  He asked about my mom, and when he ended his shift, he came to see her again.   He was stunned to see her progress, and I told him that in a very large part, it was due to the care that he gave my mom (and my dad & me) those first three nights when we didn't know if my mom would regain any capabilities after the hemorrhage. 

I had to ask one of the nurses on the 3rd floor if she could give me Sam's full name, because I only knew him by Sam. She told me it's Samuel Catlett Sirchio. I know Sam was THE MOST beautiful spirit to engage with us during our 15 days at MCR.  We crossed paths with many, many individuals:  nurses, PAs, doctors, CNA, aides, Palliative, Social Services, cleaning staff, and front desk greeters, and I can without hesitation tell you that Sam FAR EXCEEDED everyone else in an ability to care, show compassion, focus his energy to do the best thing for my mom at every moment. He was beyond amazing. I can, without any reservation, say that Sam was the most amazing person to care for my mom, for my dad, and for me while we had to endure our MCR experience.  He is a bright light that shines for his patients and their families.   Be sure to take good care of Sam, he is a jewel in your legion of staff of staff.