Taylor VanLaningham
March 2025
Taylor
VanLaningham
,
BSN, RN
ICU
CHI Health St. Elizabeth
Lincoln
,
NE
United States
Nothing was easy about any of this for any of us, but Taylor’s work went far above and beyond the call of duty. We cannot thank her enough.
A little over a week ago, we found ourselves in the ICU with my 81-year-old mother. Taylor was her nurse for two heartbreaking days as my father (mom’s husband of 58 years) was attempting to face the reality that she was not going to leave the hospital alive. When my father was experiencing every emotion under the sun and lashing out at everyone, Taylor took the time to explain everything to him that the doctors couldn’t make clear to him in his grief and heartbreak. She drew illustrations to explain her heartbeat. She remained calm and answered/explained everything he needed, and said it in a way he understood. She went above and beyond not only in making sure mom was taken care of and had dignity in the final days of her life, but also took care of my father and my siblings as we all relived the heartbreak day after day until last Sunday when mom left us. My whole family has so much respect and appreciation for everything Taylor did for all of us during the darkest time of our lives. She truly is a hero to the whole family!
***
Mom (81) had reached the “comfort care” stage. Dad was exhausted and due to several issues (poor hearing, soft-spoken doctor talking to him through a mask, grief/concern, and did I mention exhaustion), he was not fully comprehending what was going on. He was mad at the doctor, mad at the Chaplin, and mad at the world for “giving up on her” and “wanting him to make the decision on how to kill her.”
In and around Mom’s room, things were very tense for about 24 hours. Taylor had been a wonderful caregiver for days, and now seemed to comprehend quite well what was going on. She helped arrange for the surgeon (whom Dad seemed to be more comfortable with several days before) to come talk to him. That eventually helped a lot, also, but before that could be pulled together, Taylor came to the room to slowly walk dad through the whole complex situation again, clearly explaining and reexplaining important details of her history and current condition until dad settled into a calmer clarity. Her professionalism and calm demeanor throughout were reassuring to Dad and the family and did wonders to de-escalate the growing negativity in the room. Nothing was easy about any of this for any of us, but Taylor’s work went far above and beyond the call of duty. We cannot thank her enough.
***
Mom (81) had reached the “comfort care” stage. Dad was exhausted and due to several issues (poor hearing, soft-spoken doctor talking to him through a mask, grief/concern, and did I mention exhaustion), he was not fully comprehending what was going on. He was mad at the doctor, mad at the Chaplin, and mad at the world for “giving up on her” and “wanting him to make the decision on how to kill her.”
In and around Mom’s room, things were very tense for about 24 hours. Taylor had been a wonderful caregiver for days, and now seemed to comprehend quite well what was going on. She helped arrange for the surgeon (whom Dad seemed to be more comfortable with several days before) to come talk to him. That eventually helped a lot, also, but before that could be pulled together, Taylor came to the room to slowly walk dad through the whole complex situation again, clearly explaining and reexplaining important details of her history and current condition until dad settled into a calmer clarity. Her professionalism and calm demeanor throughout were reassuring to Dad and the family and did wonders to de-escalate the growing negativity in the room. Nothing was easy about any of this for any of us, but Taylor’s work went far above and beyond the call of duty. We cannot thank her enough.