We recently had a patient in DDTP (Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program) who was being treated for a substance abuse disorder but also very sick with liver disease. He went in and out of the hospital during his stay with us. When his wife first brought him to us, she did not want to leave him here alone because he was so sick and she felt she would need to stay and assist him. From the very beginning, Sara worked closely with them to establish trust and provide high levels of support to both our patient and his wife. By establishing a dialogue with the patient and his wife, Sara helped them face issues relating to his terminal illness and pending death.
Sara spent hours communicating and offering her support to both. She demonstrated a caring attitude as she imparted her wealth of nursing expertise and assisted them to achieve his final goal which was to return to Puerto Rico to die. Sara continued to converse with the couple by phone for a week until the patient passed away. After his death, the wife expressed her gratitude for everything that Sara did. She stated that Sara had made a difference in both their lives. Sara went above and beyond by helping a veteran and his wife through one of their toughest times, the ending of his life.