Anna’s approach to care delivery embodies the Mayo Clinic values of respect, compassion, healing, integrity, and excellence.  I am incredibly grateful that my husband was placed under her care at the end of his life. Sister Generose stated, “Our greatest challenge is a personal one. It is the challenge of commitment. Commitment to the welfare of the patient and commitment to the identify and dignity of man as a Child of God, made in the image and likeness of the Creator.”

Anna provided my husband with dignity throughout his time in the hospital, a commitment to fully address his needs and provided compassion and strength in a manner that would make the Sisters of Saint Francis proud.   My husband was 38 and battled esophageal cancer with fierceness and tenacity. He never stopped hoping or pushing to get better despite the odds. He became very ill, spending several weeks in the hospital. Despite the changing of floors, care teams, etc., he remained focused on discharging from the hospital and returning to his life- family, friends, work, motorcycles, sailing and traveling. When we transitioned to another floor to further address a developing infection, stress was high, but from the moment Anna stepped into the room, we knew she was different; Anna had a way about her that immediately put us both at ease.  We knew if Anna was his nurse for the day, despite the uncertainty that lay ahead of us, Anna would be there to support and provide exceptional care.  Her kindness, compassion and empathy came through every step of the way, I know I could leave for a few hours and gather myself and not worry about my husband because Anna was there.  We had to have some very tough conversations with the care team and make difficult decisions while under the care of Anna, but Anna was there to support us in making the decisions, and coordinating with care team members to ensure we had as much information as possible and ensuring pain management, breathing, and other clinical needs were met as the evaluation of options continued.  She provided us with a level of strength and peace despite the heartbreaking decision to transition to comfort care. I will never forget that hug and the amount of time she spent just letting us process, cry, get angry, and come to terms with the inevitable.  

Throughout his last weekend, Anna was there every step of the way, I’m guessing she worked overtime and was exhausted but never showed it.  She helped me bring our dogs in to have one last snuggle, and when my husband realized they were in room, he had the biggest smile on his face and grabbed for those dogs and held on.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room- all because of Anna.  She talked with me and our family about what to expect with comfort care, supported us when we knew we would be unable to bring my husband home from the hospital, brought in several cups of coffee and snacks, provided us with a clear understanding of what was happening as he neared end of life. Anna never let him suffer a single minute.  She was proactive in talking with his physicians and palliative care to make him the most comfortable he could be, she suggested therapies to keep him calm. When he was particularly worked up, she would hold his hand and talk through what was on his mind. 

The day he passed, Anna knew many of the family had not slept or eaten much while staying in the hospital. She sent us down to the cafeteria for respite while Anna insisted on ensuring my husband received a bath and a new set of clothing prior to many family members coming to say goodbye. Though he lost consciousness prior to this support, Anna made sure to insist on him wearing a favorite shirt and parting his hair in a manner that was truly HIM. She then assisted us with that last day, encouraging us to share stories, laugh and be together as he could still hear us and would have loved to hear us together smiling around him.

Sister Mary Brigh Cassidy said, "I believe in God’s master plan in lives. He moves people in and out of others’ lives, and each leaves his mark on the other. You will find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who ever touched your life and you are more because of it, and you would be less if they had not touched you." I have never come across anyone like Anna.  I am so thankful she was there; I quite honestly do not know what I would have done without her.  We learned so much about Anna: she was from a family of medical professionals, her mother was a hospice nurse, her great aunt was none other than Sister Generose, once we learned this it all became clear, it was literally in her blood to be the amazing nurse she is, and she showed us that time and time again. I will never be able to thank Anna for sharing her gift of exceptional patient care and compassion with my husband and I and I am so grateful she is at Mayo to support other families through their journey.