April Ferguson
October 2019
April
Ferguson
,
BSN, RN
ICU
OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center
Alton
,
IL
United States

 

 

 

My story starts on Thursday evening. My wife (J) was having pain in her stomach and on both sides. I asked her if she wanted to go to the hospital, she said no. After a little while, I asked her again, she didn't want to be a problem but she said ok, so I called 911. She was taken to Saint Anthony's hospital. She was treated for a kidney infection. The following Thursday, J started having bad pain in her stomach and a burning fire pain in her throat. I didn't wait, I called 911. Paramedics took J to Saint Anthony's Hospital. Doctors were treating her for pain. I guess it didn't help that she was diabetic, and she was fighting cancer, which started four years ago. On Sunday, doctors moved her to ICU. The doctors were treating her for pain, and the nurses made sure she had everything she needed and was as comfortable as possible. This is when I met Nurse April Ferguson. Day by day she got worse. Every day that I would see Nurse April, she would tell me how J was doing and wanted to know if I needed anything and how I was doing. She knew my nephew and I were there every day from about 6:30 am to about 7:30 pm, so we were there at shift changes. Then the doctors told me that J's cancer was spreading to all her organs and that she was basically being kept alive by machines, which she did not want. So, at 2:30 pm I made the decision to remove the machines, which will be the hardest decision I will ever make in my life. The angels came at 2:43 pm to take J to heaven where she already had prepared herself to go. By my side was earth angel, April Ferguson, and she cried with me. Not only is April an outstanding nurse, but a friend. J's wake was on a Thursday and yes, J's earth angel, April, was there making sure J was comfortable and if I needed comfort. April was there not only as J's nurse but as a friend. On the four corners of J's casket, there were removable angels. I gave each one of J's three sons an angel, and yes, I have one who watches over me, and my angel's name is April.
Note: This is April's 2nd DAISY Award!