August 2013
Ellen
Dyer
,
RN
House Manager
Baptist Hospital Northeast
LaGrange
,
KY
United States
At approximately 2:30am in the darkest hours of Friday, January 25, I had an encounter with one of your Baptist Hospital Northeast employees, Ellen Dyer, RN. This meeting came as a result of failed resuscitative attempts by me, the EMT/paramedic, and your emergency room staff to restore life to my wonderful husband.
Within moments of arriving at your facility, I met Ellen, who invited and escorted me to a private waiting area. From that moment, she only left me to get an update, bring me water, or to quickly attend to her duties. I don't remember many of the specifics of what she said during those hours, but I will never forget her gentle manner and comforting demeanor. She supported me in ways I can't express as I clumsily grappled with those first minutes and hours, trying to comprehend what I needed to do next, much less grasp the reality of losing my love and my best friend.
My appreciation for her patience and sensitivity to my situation and horrific circumstance is immeasurable. There has not been a day that I have not thought about her, hugged her from my heart, or prayed for her continued strength and skill to provide peace and compassion to others who experience similar catastrophic life events. Ellen is an exceptional nurse and I commend you for placing her on your staff and in a position to provide the utmost in appropriate compassionate care to those of us in need.
After patiently waiting for me to have my last moments with my beloved husband, she wrapped her arm (?wing?) around me and walked me to my car. She had offered to arrange for a ride home, but I refused, just wanting to get home ahead of the ice storm that arrived an hour later and locked us all in for, well, I don't remember how long. Ellen's caring did not stop that morning, as I received a card from her shortly afterwards. I will treasure it forever.
I do regret that it has taken me this long to compose this letter and make you aware of how very deeply I was touched and helped by her compassionate care. The entire staff that was on duty that fateful night/morning was very professional and kind, but I thank God that Ellen was by my side. She is an exceptional nurse and an outstanding person.
Within moments of arriving at your facility, I met Ellen, who invited and escorted me to a private waiting area. From that moment, she only left me to get an update, bring me water, or to quickly attend to her duties. I don't remember many of the specifics of what she said during those hours, but I will never forget her gentle manner and comforting demeanor. She supported me in ways I can't express as I clumsily grappled with those first minutes and hours, trying to comprehend what I needed to do next, much less grasp the reality of losing my love and my best friend.
My appreciation for her patience and sensitivity to my situation and horrific circumstance is immeasurable. There has not been a day that I have not thought about her, hugged her from my heart, or prayed for her continued strength and skill to provide peace and compassion to others who experience similar catastrophic life events. Ellen is an exceptional nurse and I commend you for placing her on your staff and in a position to provide the utmost in appropriate compassionate care to those of us in need.
After patiently waiting for me to have my last moments with my beloved husband, she wrapped her arm (?wing?) around me and walked me to my car. She had offered to arrange for a ride home, but I refused, just wanting to get home ahead of the ice storm that arrived an hour later and locked us all in for, well, I don't remember how long. Ellen's caring did not stop that morning, as I received a card from her shortly afterwards. I will treasure it forever.
I do regret that it has taken me this long to compose this letter and make you aware of how very deeply I was touched and helped by her compassionate care. The entire staff that was on duty that fateful night/morning was very professional and kind, but I thank God that Ellen was by my side. She is an exceptional nurse and an outstanding person.