My former husband was diagnosed with cancer, and the diagnosis was dismal. Bonnie was the Nurse Case Manager to whom he was referred by the Beebe Emergency Department. Bonnie has followed him every step of the way, even after he was transferred from her Palliative Care area to the South Coastal Cancer Center and Palliative Care Team.

At the time of his diagnosis, he was considered homeless and living in a motel in Georgetown. Bonnie took her personal time to deliver him a coat and supplies needed to ensure he would not be cold during the winter months. Thankfully, several months later, he was able to move in with family members who helped care for him until he passed. Bonnie would call and text him frequently to ensure he had the resources he needed.

Even after being transferred to South Coastal, he would keep in contact with Bonnie and vice versa. She would reach out to our daughter, his niece (who was his primary caregiver), or me when she hadn't spoken with him in several days, just to make sure he was okay. When we had to decide to call in hospice, I had no idea what to do, and I called Bonnie on a Sunday night and left a message. She took time away from her family event to call me back and provide us with the names of several hospice centers.

Unfortunately, he passed away, but he had made us promise to ensure that we recognized Bonnie and all of her help, her kindness, and her acceptance of him as the person he was, and not the diagnosis or the situation he was in with his personal life. We will never be able to thank her enough for all her help and for being his friend on some of the darkest days of his life.

With thanks and gratitude.