I am sorry this has taken me so long to write but it is still very hard. I still get teary-eyed for many reasons when thinking about my dad but mostly because of how my dad was treated while he was a patient at SJMO.
My 87-year-old dad was moved from his home of 50+ years. Unfortunately, the move did not go as we planned, and the police were called to assist us in getting him to a dementia facility. He became very aggressive and combative at the facility and after only three days, we were forced to call the police again to help transfer him to SJMO.
He was admitted to 6 South. I was very nervous about how my dad was going to react to the new environment and how he would treat my coworkers. I know the staff was also nervous around him because he could get so combative.
Two days later, I came in to check on my dad. The Clinical Leader told me to go talk to his nurse to see how things were going. I was a little nervous, in the past my father's nurse and I have had our differences. When I walked into his room, his nurse Avonda Cogdell looked at me and told me, "I've got you. I've got your dad. I've got your family." It still brings tears to my eyes just remembering this. She hugged me and let me cry.
My dad looked a mess. He hadn't been shaven in a few weeks. When I came back later that day I found Avonda rubbing lotion on my dad's arms and just talking with him. She told me she wrapped my dad's face with a warm wet towel to soften up his beard and while shaving him, he kept patting her arm telling her she was good. That shave woke him up and you could tell he felt good both inside and out.
Avonda took the level of care she provided my dad a step further when she found out he loved dogs. She went to the gift shop and purchased a rice-filled dog that you heat up. She placed the dog on my dad's chest to soothe him with the warmth and the scent of lavender. He wouldn't let that dog go. He talked to it and tucked him under the covers to sleep with him.
My dad was finally placed at Autumn Ridge where he passed away two weeks later. Knowing how Avonda cared for my dad while he was at SJMO gave my whole family a sense of peace. He wasn't just another patient, he was a family member. I don't know if this letter really expresses how appreciative we are of Avonda and the entire 6 South staff, Nurses, PSTs, HUCs, and Sitters but I hope it does. I wish I could nominate the whole 6 South team!
From the bottom of my heart, I want to Thank You All, especially Avonda!