February 2019
Jean
Gasteratos
,
RN
Neuro Critical Care Unit
Swedish Medical Center
Englewood
,
CO
United States

 

 

 

Jean cared for my sister for 3 days. D was in critical condition in a coma. Jean diligently monitored all the equipment that was running. Her nursing care was superb. But much more than that, she cared for D as if she were someone in her own family. She considered her dignity and modesty. Each time she worked with D she talked to her and explained what she was doing. She answered all of my questions and explained what she was doing and why. We are of a similar age and over the course of those 3 days, I shared thoughts and preferences D had, as did my other sister and brother. Jean knew my sister liked a fan, preferred her left side and had been very independent.
Jean requested a conference for me with the social worker to answer questions I had. She did everything possible for D medically and as a human being. She was extremely competent but even more compassionate toward D and us, while maintaining a professional interaction.
Jean was gentle in attending to D's needs. We walked in one morning and Jean was combing D's hair, then put it in pigtails. D would have appreciated that gesture so much!
Thank you, Jean. You made an extremely stressful, difficulty experience a little less painful.