Morgan Russell
April 2022
Morgan
Russell
,
BSN, RN
ICU
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
Bangor
,
ME
United States

 

 

 

My mother passed away, and Morgan was able to provide care that allowed me to be strong enough to say goodbye to my mother without falling apart.
Morgan was able to make my father feel comfortable over the course of 3 days working within the ICU and taking care of my mother. She explained the process from beginning to end of going through palliative care, not prolonging the inevitable because of my mother's situation. She was very patient, empathetic, and kind offering whatever was needed whether it was food, drink, or an ear for someone to listen. Just meeting Morgan, she was very kind and explained the process of palliative care. She was very empathetic in explaining what to expect after signing a DNR/DNI. She was very respectful and kind to my mother while in the room, talking to her and explaining what she was going to do before she did it. Making her feel comfortable and staying with her so she wasn't alone.

Morgan was able to make her feel extremely comfortable in a very difficult situation. She cleaned her up to keep me from being scared to see her in the condition that she was in, and to make me more comfortable seeing my mother. Morgan was just very kind and patient. She kept my mother moisturized, well-groomed, and suctioned so she didn't look to be dying, even though she was. Morgan was very respectful in the way that she explained everything. She maintained eye contact and answered any questions that we had.

Morgan offered to call the priest after it was discussed during the planning of palliative care, so it was one less thing my father had to deal with. Morgan was informative and knowledgeable on every practice or task she was providing; she explained in such a way that was understood by someone who is not familiar with the medical field and doesn't have any idea of what to expect or what was going on. My mother was dying of liver failure (which we didn't know when she went into the emergency room) and Morgan ended up being her nurse once she got to the ICU. Throughout the entire process, she went above and beyond to make sure that we as a family were comfortable and my mother was comfortable. She was with my mother because I personally couldn't be in the room when she passed due to suffering from panic disorder.

Morgan was extremely understanding and kind. She offered to walk me out when I needed to get some air. She explained to both my father and me (who both suffer from anxiety/depression issues) that we did everything we could to help my mother with the situation that she was in. Morgan has the ability to be able to make someone feel comfortable and safe. It is very hard to put into words the kind of care that Morgan provided on the worst day of my life. My mother passed away, and Morgan was able to provide care that allowed me to be strong enough to say goodbye to my mother without falling apart. She went above and beyond her call of duty to make sure that my family had what they needed to get through this difficult day.