Rhiannon Siebert
December 2020
Rhiannon
Siebert
,
RN, BSN
IMC
Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center
Without being asked, Rhiannon allowed me the time I needed with my mother. When we were ready, she began to make my mother comfortable.
My mother was a patient two times in Southern Hills Hospital over the last month. She was 83 and was admitted for COVID-19. After her first visit, she returned home after being treated with Remdesivir, steroids, and antibiotics. Unfortunately, despite the initial treatment, she was reÂadmitted with COVID-related pneumonia and she passed away there. I am an only child; the past week has been one of the most difficult in my life. Trying to connect with her, as she was struggling and miserable, was horrific. This was further complicated by my inability to visit, caused by the pandemic.
At this time, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to acknowledge that, despite these facts, two of the nurses on your third-floor nurses station (ICM floor) surpassed all of my expectations. In the face of a surging pandemic, they provided a level of guidance and emotional support for both my mom and me that was extraordinary.
Madison was my mother's nurse on the night before she died. My mother had been put on a CPAP mask as her oxygen saturation had declined. I was forced to confront a variety of difficult issues related to the probability of her potential recovery. Although Madison could not provide me with specific advice, she compassionately helped me to assess my mom's condition through observational data that I could obtain as I was not present. In addition, I needed clarity on the hospice process; the coordination of it, what the process might entail, the timing, and my participation. She took the time to answer all my questions in a gentle, compassionate manner. For that, I am truly grateful.
The following morning, I was able to have a brief conversation with my mother. With a doctor present, she indicated that she no longer wanted to continue with treatment. I moved her to hospice care and within four hours, I was able to enter the hospital and spend some time with my mother.
During this time, my mother was lucid, coherent, and we shared one of the most beautiful conversations we have ever had. I cannot fully describe my gratitude to Rhiannon, the other third-floor ICM nurse, who implemented the hospice care. Without being asked, she allowed me the time I needed with my mother. When we were ready, she began to make my mother comfortable. Throughout the process, if, at any time, I perceived my mother was struggling, she worked with me to ease her suffering. I had promised my mother that she would be completely out of pain when she passed and to see this brought about with dignity and compassion was more than I could have ever hoped.
At this time, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to acknowledge that, despite these facts, two of the nurses on your third-floor nurses station (ICM floor) surpassed all of my expectations. In the face of a surging pandemic, they provided a level of guidance and emotional support for both my mom and me that was extraordinary.
Madison was my mother's nurse on the night before she died. My mother had been put on a CPAP mask as her oxygen saturation had declined. I was forced to confront a variety of difficult issues related to the probability of her potential recovery. Although Madison could not provide me with specific advice, she compassionately helped me to assess my mom's condition through observational data that I could obtain as I was not present. In addition, I needed clarity on the hospice process; the coordination of it, what the process might entail, the timing, and my participation. She took the time to answer all my questions in a gentle, compassionate manner. For that, I am truly grateful.
The following morning, I was able to have a brief conversation with my mother. With a doctor present, she indicated that she no longer wanted to continue with treatment. I moved her to hospice care and within four hours, I was able to enter the hospital and spend some time with my mother.
During this time, my mother was lucid, coherent, and we shared one of the most beautiful conversations we have ever had. I cannot fully describe my gratitude to Rhiannon, the other third-floor ICM nurse, who implemented the hospice care. Without being asked, she allowed me the time I needed with my mother. When we were ready, she began to make my mother comfortable. Throughout the process, if, at any time, I perceived my mother was struggling, she worked with me to ease her suffering. I had promised my mother that she would be completely out of pain when she passed and to see this brought about with dignity and compassion was more than I could have ever hoped.