My mother came into the emergency department with an infection in her arm that quickly turned into cellulitis and sepsis. She was admitted to the hospital and placed on IV antibiotics to clear up the infection, but it was evident that she needed surgery to debride the wound. During surgery, Mom was unable to sustain her blood pressure levels and was taken to the ICU. In the days that Mom was in the ICU, she had outstanding care, but one nurse stood out.

Kristie Simmons was an exceptional nurse in a time of pain and sorrow for our family. Compassion and understanding were easily conveyed to us as she confidently managed the needs of my mother in the ICU. As care was given to my mother, who was on a ventilator and unable to respond, Kristie spoke with her and us about what she was doing as she was doing it. Whether that was moving her head on the pillow, changing her IV bags, or adjusting her position in bed, she methodically told Mom everything that was going on. She took the time out of her day to explain everything to us regarding Mom’s condition and reassured us that Mom was not in pain. If Kristie was assigned other patients, we did not know. We felt as though we had her undivided attention, and excellent care was provided to Mom.

In the evenings, Mom was placed in the prone position, which, to the family, is a scary thought. To literally have her turned on her stomach for the night terrified both my brother and me, but Kristie made sure we knew all the steps and requested Mom get a special bed that would better accommodate her needs. We were extremely grateful that Kristie was assigned to mom when the day came for us to make the decision about having her removed from the ventilator. She reviewed step by step with us how that process would look and again reassured us that Mom would be calm and pain-free. Kristie was not only concerned about my mom’s care but was genuinely concerned for my family's care as we went through the dying process with my mom.

She brought us a table of snacks, offered us blankets, and was an advocate for my mother’s care. She assured us that she would be her voice with her physicians when we stepped out for lunch, to the waiting room, or home to get some rest. Kristie encouraged us to get rest and promised that if anything were to happen, she would make sure that we were notified immediately. She came in frequently throughout the day to reposition Mom, provide oral hygiene care, and put ChapStick on her lips along with many other things, always taking the time to talk to Mom and explain what she was doing.

My mom was in the ICU for 6 days and was taken care of very well by everyone, but 2 of those days were exceptional. I honestly believe that Kristie provided the type of loving and compassionate care that she would have given her own mother. Augusta Health is lucky to have such a wonderful, kind, compassionate, and giving nurse among its staff. Our journey of losing Mom was scary and heartbreaking, and yes, I lost my best friend, but having Kristie there with us and Mom, eased our pain, knowing that she was cared for with kindness, love, and compassion. I believe that for those few short days, Kristie loved our mother just as much as we did and wanted her transition to be pain-free and full of love. We are sad that Mom’s journey is over here on this earth, but we are so grateful to Kristie for allowing us to love Mom without fear in her final days.