August 2024
Kaleigh
MacGregor
,
RN
SICU
Mary Washington Hospital
Fredericksburg
,
VA
United States
She washed his face, combed his hair, and even tucked him in with his blanket knowing he wouldn’t utter the words, “Thank you.”
Our lives were turned upside down. My siblings and I received the news that our father was likely to pass on. After losing our mother a few years earlier, we knew what to expect. One nurse in particular uplifted our hearts and made us feel human in such a foreign situation. After about ten hours, six of us were standing on our feet, Kaleigh MacGregor, an angel in disguise came in and greeted us all, but most importantly she greeted Dad - knowing he wouldn’t respond. She did his assessment as if a normal patient and spoke with him through each intervention. She washed his face, combed his hair, and even tucked him in with his blanket knowing he wouldn’t utter the words, “Thank you.” She saw us all standing and so kindly brought chairs into the room and offered us drinks. This meant so much, it meant we weren’t forgotten, that our pain and anguish mattered. It meant that even though Dad was passing, there was still a patient to be cared for in this room. It takes a special person to know what to do and say in moments like these and it came so naturally to you. You were amazing and we will never forget your care during that difficult moment. I am a nurse and hope that if I am put in a similar situation, I can provide the care, comfort, and connection to a family in need as you gave to us.