On Friday, June 19th around 9:00 a.m. my grandfather was admitted to the Emergency room for back pain. Within not even 45 minutes we learned he was suffering from a massive aneurysm and needed immediate surgery, as the aneurysm was rupturing. At the time, it was only my 19 year old sister, my father, and me (26) there. Needless to say we were completely caught off guard and emotional wrecks. My poor father could barely gather his own thoughts and emotions as he was trying to focus on caring for my sister and me. This is when Sharon came and cared for us in a time of need. Not only as a nurse, but as a mother/female to help us cope with the realization that we are going to lose our grandfather. In a room full of doctors and nurses and absolute chaos, Sharon was there taking care of my grandfather, our family, consoling us, talking us through our enormous amount of questions and trying to do any and everything she possibly could to help us cope with this news. We were told my grandfather only had a 10% chance of surviving his surgery to remove the aneurysm, as he is 86 years old with CHF and has had multiple bypasses.

I am proud to say that with the strength of my grandfather, family, and amazing team of doctors, nurses, and surgeons at St. Anthony's, I can write this letter 2 weeks later at the bedside of my grandfather who is now in Acute Rehab and will be returning home in 2 days. Everyone is in agreement that his progress and survival is a complete miracle! I am completely understanding of the emotional distance that needs to take place between doctors/nurses and their patients, however this letter does my feelings no justice in saying I could not have made it through without the love, patience, guidance and care from Sharon Sweet during this emotional time. I am so thankful and grateful that she was our nurse.

The best part of this story is that Sharon showed up 4 days later to see my grandfather in ICU. My family all happened to be there at this time and greeted her with open arms. She hugged my grandpa and we were all so very grateful for her! She will forever be a part of our lives. As a nurse in the Emergency room, there is no doubt that they see hundreds of patients with terrible conditions, however to remember and care enough to follow up show's a true connection and exemplifies going above and beyond the call of duty.

You are lucky to have such a great nurse like Sharon working for you, honestly!