My parents were in a terrible car accident in October 2024. My dad didn't survive the accident, and my mom was severely injured. She was in the ICU for 3 weeks and then moved to the 9th floor neuro/trauma unit at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. Although she was gradually improving during her stay on the 9th floor, it was a very difficult time, both physically with all of her injuries, and emotionally with losing my dad/her husband of almost 55 years. There was one week in particular where she was really struggling and wasn't sure she wanted to keep fighting to survive. She had developed a complication that was causing her a lot of pain, and the enormity and uncertainty of what her future would be was almost too much for her to bear. However, her nurse that week was Dan O'Brien, and I believe that his compassion, proactivity, and care were instrumental in saving her life. One night, she was in so much pain, and I asked Dan for help, and he went to great lengths to call doctors at night to get pain meds ordered. He kept the door to her room cracked open so he could check to see if she was sleeping, and if she wasn't, he'd go in to see if she wanted to talk. After I'd left that night, and after my mom had basically told me she wasn't sure if she wanted to continue, Dan went into chat with her and got her talking about family and grandkids and other things that made her remember that she had so much to live for. This night sticks in my mind as a turning point in her resolve to keep fighting to get stronger and to survive. I give a lot of credit to Dan for his care, helping soothe her body with the pain meds and her mind with the conversation. I saw firsthand how busy the nurses were every day and night, and I know taking the time to sit and chat with a patient isn't easy, but the fact that Dan did made a huge difference and possibly saved my mom's life. I think Dan's ability to realize that my mom was struggling with the will to live and to get her talking showed great compassion and care. He went above the required nursing duties and helped to save her life.