My Dad was at Good Sam for 10 days. He was admitted with what we thought was a UTI infection. His health quickly turned, and he was moved to the ICU on the 5th day. He was then moved to the fifth floor and under hospice care, on a DNR, oxygen, and pain IV only. We discovered he had cancer throughout his body, and he could not talk or write to communicate within 5 days of being in the hospital.

The whole family struggled to continuously get the nurses to give him pain meds. The family had to remind the nurses every two hours, knowing it would take another hour to get his meds. My Dad was dying and in so much pain. He could only raise his hands and indicate to us a pain level of 10. This continued for 3 days. Then Ally was his nurse on Saturday. She is an Angel sent from God. Ally started early in the morning; she had previously been a hospice nurse. She quickly got the doctor in to talk to us so my Dad could go on continuous pain IV, not just every two hours. She not only took the time to care for my Dad but also saw how many family members were coming in and out all day and night.

My Dad was never alone. She got my Dad finally out of pain for the first time in 9 days. She brought snacks and drinks for visiting family members. She saw us struggling emotionally and sent up the Chaplin. After talking to the Chaplin, my Dad finally fell asleep for the first time in 10 hours. She checked on him hourly, making sure he was comfortable. She had to change his IV as the original one had failed. Ally did not leave her shift until she knew my Dad was taken care of and all of us.

As I was leaving, having been with my Dad for 10 hours, I hugged and thanked Ally for caring for my Dad. Ally has kindness, compassion, and understanding for her patients that are under her care. Ally is a big asset to your hospital. She is what every caregiver should strive to be! My Dad passed away the next morning.