This summer, my mother was transferred from assisted living to the Crouse Hospital Emergency Department (ED). This was due to the fact that one week prior to this my mother had sustained a head injury while in assisted living and was never sent to the hospital to determine if there was damage due to the head injury; e.g. a brain bleed. Also, due to the fact that she was having difficulty breathing and it appeared that she was in Atrial fibrillation (Afib). It should also be noted that my mother had end-stage Pulmonary Fibrosis.
The Crouse ED performed the necessary tests and evaluations, determined that there wasn't a brain bleed and also determined that my mother's Pulmonary Fibrosis had substantially progressed. Also, due to the progression of her Pulmonary Fibrosis, the Crouse ED determined that my mother would not live through the following day. After the diagnosis from the Crouse ED, it was determined that my mother would be admitted and given Morphine in order to keep her comfortable for the time that she had left.
With all that being stated, the reason for this letter is to inform you of the exceptional care that my mother received from all of your staff in the Crouse ED. She was brought up to 4 North and we would like to specifically inform you of the exceptional care and kindness that your nurse, Kendra Dick gave to my mother. When we got up to 4 North with the Chaplain and turned to walk down to my mother's room (my mother had not gotten to her room yet.), Kendra appeared and said; "You're here for your mother." Kendra also explained that she would be my mother's nurse and would be on duty until 7:00 AM the next morning and would be back at 7:00 PM that evening. She was like an angel that was sent from heaven just for us. I spent that night with my mother and Kendra was so kind to me, my family and my mother. Kendra would consistently check on my mother, change her when she needed to be and made sure she was very comfortable and that if we needed anything, made sure we had it.
Mother made it through the next day and the daytime staff was also great to us. Kendra was back on her shift at 7:00 PM and my mother past away that evening at approximately 8:30 PM. Kendra was exceptional and treated my mother with kindness, dignity, and respect before and after my mother had passed.
You have an exceptional and extraordinary nurse (Kendra Dick RN) and need to acknowledge her as such. We live in a world where most people do just what is required and settle for mediocrity. It is very rare these days that someone steps up and goes above and beyond what is required. Kendra is who person who takes those extra steps and goes beyond what is required and does what is necessary and does it with a smile and a kind heart.