Tay Maataoui
November 2017
Tayeb
Maataoui
,
BSN, RN
Gibson
Maine Medical Center
Portland
,
ME
United States

 

 

 

Tay, I want to thank you for how you cared for my father. I don't know how you do what you do, but I do know that I am so thankful that we had the pleasure of meeting you. Thank you for how you cared for my dad. You made a very sad and difficult situation beautiful, respectful and memorable in a professional setting.
My dad had an eye for spotting people who could tolerate his sense of humor and he hit the jackpot when assigned to you. The first night when he started with "can I ask you a personal question?" I hung my head and thought, "oh nooo!" He proceeded to ask your nationality and instead of just answering his question, you made a game out of it. Then there was the towel you used to shield his eyes from the bright light while you surveyed potential IV spots. My dad began throwing out suggestions that someone find him a headband and a sword. You were picking it up with agreeing to wheel him through the hallway as he shouted, "Allah Aqaba!" You were one of the last people who made him laugh. It was very telling when you came in his room a week later that my dad's health was rapidly declining. It had been difficult for his nurse to find a new spot for his IV and I wasn't surprised when she said she was going to ask you to come take a look, you are clearly very skilled at this task. Dad made his best effort to talk but showed little reaction when you again placed a towel on his head to shield him from the bright light. I saw how you continued to talk with him just like you had a week ago. Thank you for that because, despite his ability to react with a wise guy remark, you allowed him to still be the person he was and not a man who was a day away from dying.
May kindness return to you in the same beautiful way that it was given.