K was diagnosed with stage 4 Gastric and Pancreatic Cancer while at OHSU. We made several trips to the Bay Area Hospital ED. I do not remember the names of each and every doctor, nurse, or CNA, but want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for the excellent care he was given.
I brought K into the ED, because he had a low grade fever, was very weak, and K told me when he awoke that morning that he couldn't hear himself and could not hear me. After spending most of the day in the ED he was released and was diagnosed with a UTI. I remember a very nice male nurse working with us that day. The ED doctor had some very grave news and informed us that his pancreatic cancer/gastric cancer had spread to his liver.
We made it home where K took his antibiotic, ate a sandwich, and then fell asleep. When he awoke, his fever seemed to return and he had become even more delirious and weak. I brought him back to the ED where he would spend his final hours of life here on earth.
In the late evening, an ED nurse named Mike attended to K. I want to thank Mike for his wisdom, his efficiency, and caring nature. As Mike and I wheeled K from the ED to a room, Mike asked me my name. He then told me it had been a privilege and honor to help our family and to take care of K. His words were so comforting and genuine and he said something like, "May God richly bless you and your family." I will forever be grateful to him for making me feel so cared for at a moment when I needed it most.
When K was taken to the room it was surreal. It didn't even feel like a hospital, more like some pristine destination, almost like being in a resort on a very unusual vacation. When we entered the room it was the most peaceful, quiet, and comforting place. The lights were dim and the CNA2 brought in more chairs and water for us. Most of the night is a blur, but I do remember feeling like we were not really in a hospital. There was no hustle and bustle, no beeping sounds, andno other people walking out in the hallway outside K's room.
When K's aunt arrived, she instantly began praying for K. The nurse, Mike, laid his hands on K too and prayed with us. There was such a loving and holy presence in K's room that night.
The next day many family members arrived and the palliative care nurse came. My pastor prayed several times and it felt like a blessed event. On the morning of the next day, K's mom put her hands on K's face and said, "I love you and it's ok to go."K took his last breath at that exact moment. He didn't struggle or gasp or seem to be in any pain at all. His death was actually beautiful.
I want to say on behalf of K's family and myself, we will be forever grateful and thankful for the nurses, the doctors, and the CNA2 who were with us during this extremely difficult time. I wish you could have known K when he was healthy. He truly was one of a kind.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your dedication to people. Thank you for making a difference to each person you come in contact with.