My brother and I would like to enthusiastically and warmly nominate nurse Kiera Robinson for the wonderful and exemplary care that she gave to my mother, and to us as our mother was dying. My mother came to the ED by ambulance on Tuesday evening at about 8p from an assisted living facility, with fresh blood in her diaper. After over two years of almost total intestinal and bladder incontinence- from massive radiation she received in 1984 for ovarian cancer, it appeared that she was likely having intestinal bleeding. The bleeding continued after arriving at the ED and the doctor carefully explained the situation to my mother and us, that really the only stopgap treatment was a blood transfusion. Without a blood transfusion, my mother would probably die. My mother had a clear DNR and POLST, and after calmly discussing it with my brother and me, and with our support, she decided to refuse the blood transfusion. She knew that she was dying. She had wanted to “go home” to Jesus for several years. She was so incredibly weary of her horrible health issues.

All of her care in the ED was excellent and compassionate. We got up to her room at about 3a Wed. morning. I don’t remember the names of the nurses or aids, but my mom received excellent care. Then, at 7a, nurse Kiera started her shift and began caring for my mother. And caring for my brother and me. How do you put a value on kindness, gentleness, care and compassion, tenderness and solicitude? Kiera cared for my mom in the last few hours of her life, as if she were her own grandmother. (And my mother was often a very difficult, fussy patient! And she was alert and cognizant up until about noon.) But she rarely fussed with Kiera. I know my mom felt safe with her. Everything Kiera did was with very intentional and directed tenderness. She always inclined her head close to my mom so that my mother could easily hear and understand what she was saying. She would hold my mom’s hand or touch her shoulder as she spoke to her. She made sure my mother had the kind of fruit drink she wanted, fresh and hot coffee, fresh water, and the snacks my mother wanted. When my mother asked for a sandwich, Kiera got a turkey sandwich, and hand-fed her, holding the sandwich as my mom took bites. I was never in a rush and consistently focused on kindly connecting with my mom. Kiera always explained what she was doing, whether checking the IV bag, checking the port, or examining my mother’s legs for possible sores.

Again, my mother was secure in Kiara’s care. Kiera also averted a potential crisis mid-morning. My Mom began talking about rethinking the blood transfusions and was considering reversing her previous refusal. My brother and I were horrified and tried to reason with her, to no avail. Kiera sat down next to her and clearly, gently yet firmly, explained to my Mom why this wasn’t a good idea, probably wouldn’t be medically helpful, and probably wouldn’t even be permitted by the doctors. Kiera did this several times, double checking my Mom’s chart and finally gently dissuading her. My mother calmed down and was peaceful again. My brother and I, and later my son when he arrived, were also recipients of Kiera‘s compassionate care- making sure we had the pillows and blankets we wanted, the coffee or drinks we wanted, the snacks we wanted if they weren’t on the hospitality cart. We felt embraced by her compassion. She made us feel safe and loved in a very difficult situation.

Her care for my son was especially noteworthy. He has high-functioning Asperger’s Syndrome, on the autism spectrum. He does not connect well with people, not even his family, and has great difficulty processing emotions. I was actually shocked when he texted that he was coming. Being with us as his Grammie was dying, was light years out of his comfort zone. I explained my son’s issues to Kiera before he came. He got to the room at about 12:30p, several hours before Mom died. From his first arrival, Kiera made a special effort to care for and include him. She greeted him, introduced herself and made him feel welcomed and valued. She made a particular effort to gently encourage him to sit next to Grammie’s bed. It took about 45 minutes for him to work up the courage. Then, touching him on the shoulder, Kiera pulled up a chair closer to the bed, moved the food tray, pulled aside the blanket, and placed his hand on Grammie’s. Again, Kiera made sure my son had the snacks he wanted, fresh coffee, and fresh water. She was gentle and intentional in caring for him. My son sat there and held his Grammie’s hand for 3 hours until she died. I don’t think he could have done it without Kiera!

During the last 2 hours of my Mom’s life we were, of course, closely watching her vital signs. Kiera was vigilantly watching at her nursing station and was always quick to come in and explain what was probably happening in my Mom’s body. At about 3:50p my mom’s pulse began dropping. Kiera came in and gently told us that the end was coming. Then she graciously left and allowed us to be with Mom by ourselves. She passed at 4a. Shortly after, Kiera came in to confirm her death. Then Kiera hugged us and with tears in her eyes expressed her sympathies. My son and I had trouble leaving my Mother’s room. Again, Kiera came in; gave us a group hug and expressed her condolences. Sharing our faith, she assured us and affirmed with us that Grammie was no longer suffering, was, in fact, not there, but was in a far far better place! She said we could stay as long as we wanted, but it was Kiera’s care and affirmations that gave us the strength to eventually leave.

Kiera and her stellar care were quite literally a profound, beautiful, and precious gift from God. We will never forget her. Please honor Kiera with your wonderful DAISY Award.

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Our father, at 82, had been in the hospital for a month, released to a nursing facility, and then returned, condition worsening. Our nurse, Kiera, went above and beyond with her kindness to our family. She understood our pure exhaustion and stress. She treated our family to a dinner in our loved one's room. Not wanting to leave his side because of his dire state, she knew this and bought the whole room pizza and other items to give us a moment of normalcy and joy during this very difficult time. Kiera’s going the extra mile to help our transition was greatly appreciated. This is different than being paid for the job you are trained and paid to do; this is being human and touching a family’s heart when it means the most.