Brittany Davenport
May 2014
Brittany
Davenport
,
RN
Wound Care
St. David's South Austin Medical Center
Austin
,
TX
United States
Last year, my 84 year old father was admitted to the hospital for complications of his recent lymphoma battle. He had technically beat the disease, but the after effects made him very ill. He was admitted to the 4th floor at St. David's South Austin Medical Center and was there for close to a month. During this time, Nurse Brittany often took care of him. We, his many family members, would visit him daily and when Brittany was working would find them sitting, chatting, and spending time together like old friends. At one point she bought him a pack of cards and learned to play his favorite card game with him, which they ended up doing during her lunch breaks and somtimes after her shift was over.
He also couldn't taste much after his cancer treatment, so one day Brittany asked him what he would eat if he could eat anything in Texas. She ended up using her own money and bought him chicken fried steak and white gravy on her day off. They sat in his room and enjoyed lunch together like family. During these times he would smile, laugh and his eyes appeared bright again. It meant so much to us to see this.
When it was time for him to be discharged, the two had a long goodbye. Both cancer survivors, they bonded and formed a special friendship. She took time to make sure he got the best care and we knew that when she was there caring for him, someone was on his side no matter what. During the goodbye a few tears were shed. It was if it were a grandfather saying goodbye to his granddaughter.
A month after discharge, my father passed away due to a difficult bout of pneumonia. Brittany was notified and attended his funeral. We were all so touched that she cared enough to come spend time with our family, to say her own goodbyes and pay respects. Brittany really made a difference in the last part of my dad's life. When we couldn't be there with him, we were comforted by knowing that she would be. She made us feel as if family were always by his side. She made him smile, inspired him to keep fighting, and became a good friend.
We will absolutely never forget Brittany and are so thankful that there are people like her out there caring for others.
He also couldn't taste much after his cancer treatment, so one day Brittany asked him what he would eat if he could eat anything in Texas. She ended up using her own money and bought him chicken fried steak and white gravy on her day off. They sat in his room and enjoyed lunch together like family. During these times he would smile, laugh and his eyes appeared bright again. It meant so much to us to see this.
When it was time for him to be discharged, the two had a long goodbye. Both cancer survivors, they bonded and formed a special friendship. She took time to make sure he got the best care and we knew that when she was there caring for him, someone was on his side no matter what. During the goodbye a few tears were shed. It was if it were a grandfather saying goodbye to his granddaughter.
A month after discharge, my father passed away due to a difficult bout of pneumonia. Brittany was notified and attended his funeral. We were all so touched that she cared enough to come spend time with our family, to say her own goodbyes and pay respects. Brittany really made a difference in the last part of my dad's life. When we couldn't be there with him, we were comforted by knowing that she would be. She made us feel as if family were always by his side. She made him smile, inspired him to keep fighting, and became a good friend.
We will absolutely never forget Brittany and are so thankful that there are people like her out there caring for others.