Athenia’s patient was only 44 years old and she had just been told she only had 48 to 72 hours to live and her last dying wish was to go home with her family to Manchester, Kentucky, which was a 3 ½ hour drive away. Sadly her insurance company said the transport was “not an emergency,” but it was an emergency to her. Luckily, Athenia was determined to get this patient to Kentucky.
Athenia told her sister that morning, “If I were you I’d just put her in my car and take her home” and the patient’s sister asked, “is this possible?” Athenia told the family if they wanted it she would make it happen. As we padded the patient’s brother’s car with pillows and blankets and supplies to get her to Kentucky I thought to myself how lucky this family was to have a nurse who was willing to think outside the box to do what is best for her patient. There was not a dry eye around; we were all touched by what was being done for this patient.
That evening Athenia called the family and they reported that the young lady had a good drive home and they expressed to Athenia how thankful they were that she had been her nurse that day. Thanks to Athenia, this young lady was able to quietly pass away at home with her family at her side.
I am so proud to say I work with Athenia, she truly loves caring for her patients. Athenia forms very close bonds with her patients and her families. What she did that day was one of the most compassionate things I have ever seen and I will never forget it.