Rebecca L. Tyler
October 2024
Rebecca L.
Tyler
,
RN
Cardiovascular Recovery Unit
St. Francis Medical Center
Monroe
,
LA
United States

 

 

 

Rebecca eased our pain by comforting us in our decision to start comfort care.
Rebecca is the epitome of our Franciscan motto of "serving in love." Rebecca showed my grandfather and my family nothing but kindness and compassion. My Papa was admitted to CVRU and coded the next day in CVRU. Rebecca came on shift shortly after and once they had him "stabilized" enough to take him to cath lab she stopped in the hallway and allowed my family and I to see those big beautiful blue eyes one last time. We hugged him; we kissed him, and we tried to reassure him that he was going to be "okay" (he was awake, alert, and following commands postcode. But god, right?).

After the heart cath, we were told his prognosis was not good. He only had maybe 10% EF and renal failure, along with a perforated bowel that happened prior to admission. My family and I made the decision to make my grandfather a DNR, but we were not ready to commit to comfort care just yet. We wanted to see him, touch him, talk to him just one more time. My grandfather was a handful of a patient, considering his condition and acuity. Rebecca never once wavered, no matter how many times he needed to be cleaned up, a drip titrated, or a family member needed to be comforted. She truly showed us what the heart of nursing looks like.

Rebecca eased our pain by comforting us in our decision to start comfort care. She reassured us that the decision we were making was allowing my grandfather to leave this earth with dignity. And in her words "it's one thing to help patients heal and get well, that's our job as nurses, but it is an honor to hold someone's hand as they leave this earth. That is the true heart of nursing." Rebecca allowed our whole family to be in my Papa's room after we decided to extubate. I believe the Lord was gracious and brought my grandfather back after his code to allow us the gift of saying goodbye.

Because of Rebecca, my Papa was surrounded by his family and nothing but love as he slipped off to his eternal heavenly home. I believe that every patient that this nurse has ever taken care of has witnessed what the love of nursing looks like through her care and her actions. From my family to Rebecca, we greatly appreciate your service to us and our Papa. We pray that you bless every family that has the pleasure of receiving you as their nurse as much as you blessed us in the short time that we spent together. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.