Chris Hellickson
March 2024
Chris
Hellickson
,
BSN, RN
CICU
Mount Carmel East Hospital
Columbus
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

he had become a stable place in the endless uncontrollable nightmare that we were still in.
We were so thankful to have Chris Hellickson present with my husband’s dad, working tirelessly, diligently and showing his care every time. He told us what medication he was giving him, steps and plans for the night, timeline of events and ways in which he would be ensuring his comfort. While our family was living a nightmare, Chris was there 4 shifts in a row, asking us every time in the room if there was anything he could do for us, smiling, chatting about family interests, and taking a genuine interest in us. Chris would talk to our dad and let him know what he was doing even though he was unresponsive-per all tests completed. He treated him with the utmost respect, gave him a shave when requested (even when he jokingly said he did not “ know” how to shave as he himself has a beard) and joked with us about the Cleveland Browns in the room. Chris would ask if we were getting enough sleep, eating, and how we were personally doing. After the first night (I had stayed up all night at the hospital) with Chris on his first shift, Chris said he would try to be placed with our dad again. We were hopeful. Then relieved to see he was placed with us again. By day 3 he was one of the best parts of the horrible routine that we were in now. Each night my husband and I would stay to greet Chris and give him updates from the day while also having him update us on the plan for the night. This gave my husband and I great comfort. On the last night (for Chris) we followed the same routine of checking in and hearing the plan. Chris then sat with us for 15 mins to ask us how we were really doing, share in our grief, and share his own personal experiences that were unfortunately similar to ours. Which meant a lot to us. We were emotional when having to say goodbye to him as he had become a stable place in the endless uncontrollable nightmare that we were still in. We are so grateful for his constant presence with us during the worst time in our lives.