My grandmother was recently admitted to the hospital following a COVID diagnosis and shortness of breath. Her first day in the hospital was really rough for the entire family. We weren't allowed to visit and she was so scared to be alone. The second day, her nurse entered, and immediately her love and caring for my grandmother shined through. This nurse cared about my grandmother not just as a patient, but as a complete person... and she was able to treat our family as part of the hospital stay. She was honest and open with what was happening, guiding us as we made difficult decisions for my grandmother. She treated my grandmother as part of her own family. She allowed us to video chat with her when most nurses would have walked out of the room, too busy to help us make this small connection with her. That meant SO SO SO much to my grandmother and us. She treated my grandmother like a priority in her day, despite what else she had going on.
Being a nurse fighting COVID myself, I understand what this nurse was sacrificing to spend so much time in the room with my grandmother making sure she was comfortable and stable. This nurse fought for her. During the shifts she was working, our minds and hearts were at ease that she was getting the best care possible from nursing skills to heart skills. She gave all of herself to my grandmother and our family, asking nothing in return. Her passion and love of nursing showed in every single moment she was in that hospital room. When we made the decision to move to hospice, this nurse was grieving right there alongside the family, being the shoulder we needed to lean on.
Ultimately, COVID took my grandmother... but every single person in my family is thankful that this nurse was able to make her last days comfortable and allow her to feel love and kindness when her family wasn't able to be by her side. Jennifer Brown--you absolutely are a DAISY Nurse, and so much more. Thank you Jennifer for being you!