Regina Janeczek
March 2025
Regina
Janeczek
,
ADN, RN
Hospice
Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital
Palos Heights
,
IL
United States
She was stern but caring and compassionate all at the same time. My dad can be very difficult, but that day, he most definitely needed someone like Regina. She spoke to him like a person and not a number. She held his hand.
In the hours before my dad passed away, we needed a nurse to come by and help us. My dad said that he was in pain, and then he wasn't, and kept trying to get out of bed, and my brother and I were so stressed out, we didn't know what to do or what was going on. Regina was there in what felt like 10 minutes. She helped us get my dad back into bed and cleaned him up. She held his hand and spoke to my dad like a person and not a number. She was stern with him, but caring, and that's exactly what needed to happen. My dad can be very difficult and Regina broke down that wall. She stayed with us, until she felt comfortable leaving. Once my dad was comfortable, Regina explained to my brother and me what was happening. We knew what was going on but it didn't click in our heads. We needed someone to tell us exactly, and she did just that. Once Regina left, we all felt calm, and my brother and I were able to care for our dad properly in his final hours. That day, we couldn't have asked for a better nurse. Regina was exactly what we needed, and we thank you so very much.
***
My dad passed away in January. That day, prior to Regina coming over, was the most stressful situation my brother and I have ever been in. I am normally calm under pressure but I have never experienced anything like that day. I was talking with the hospice all morning until I finally asked if a nurse could come by. Regina was there in what felt like 10 minutes. Other nurses gave my dad the option to say no, whereas Regina picked up on that and then took charge. She was stern but caring and compassionate all at the same time. My dad can be very difficult, but that day, he most definitely needed someone like Regina. She spoke to him like a person and not a number. She held his hand. Regina was able to get dad back into bed, which was not an easy task and she cleaned him up with fresh clothes. Once my dad was finally calm, Regina came to my brother and I. We knew what was going on, but needed someone to actually tell us. She explained everything that had happened and why. She stayed with us until we felt comfortable with her leaving. The whole day, my brother and I were on edge with extreme anxiety. With Regina there, we were finally able to breathe. She made our dad's final hours peaceful, and we can not thank her enough.
***
Regina was the best. Her goal was to make my father comfortable on his last days, but she made my sister and I calm and comfortable as well. She took control, she had a plan, she even stuck around to talk to us and make sure we were ok. We couldn’t have made my dad's last few days as good as they were without her help. My father passed away in January, and I think about her almost every day. I’m so grateful she came in to help our family. I’ve never had a better experience with any healthcare professional in my life, and she deserves to be recognized for everything she does.
***
My dad passed away in January. That day, prior to Regina coming over, was the most stressful situation my brother and I have ever been in. I am normally calm under pressure but I have never experienced anything like that day. I was talking with the hospice all morning until I finally asked if a nurse could come by. Regina was there in what felt like 10 minutes. Other nurses gave my dad the option to say no, whereas Regina picked up on that and then took charge. She was stern but caring and compassionate all at the same time. My dad can be very difficult, but that day, he most definitely needed someone like Regina. She spoke to him like a person and not a number. She held his hand. Regina was able to get dad back into bed, which was not an easy task and she cleaned him up with fresh clothes. Once my dad was finally calm, Regina came to my brother and I. We knew what was going on, but needed someone to actually tell us. She explained everything that had happened and why. She stayed with us until we felt comfortable with her leaving. The whole day, my brother and I were on edge with extreme anxiety. With Regina there, we were finally able to breathe. She made our dad's final hours peaceful, and we can not thank her enough.
***
Regina was the best. Her goal was to make my father comfortable on his last days, but she made my sister and I calm and comfortable as well. She took control, she had a plan, she even stuck around to talk to us and make sure we were ok. We couldn’t have made my dad's last few days as good as they were without her help. My father passed away in January, and I think about her almost every day. I’m so grateful she came in to help our family. I’ve never had a better experience with any healthcare professional in my life, and she deserves to be recognized for everything she does.