It was a shocking diagnosis that rocked a Lee County family. A was a healthy 49-year-old when he developed persistent back pain. Doctors discovered a large mass on his back that was eventually diagnosed as sarcoma, a rare but serious form of cancer. “His outlook was, ‘when this is over, I’ll have a story to share.’ He never said, ‘why me?’ He said, ‘Why can’t I be the one God gives a story to,’” A’s wife, M, said. “His goal from day one was to share his story. He was always positive, and all of his nurses were positive and uplifting, and they made the journey bearable.”

M wanted to highlight some of those outstanding nurses as the nation celebrates National Nurses Week. “All of those ladies touched our lives at every moment in so many different ways. They are truly in the profession they are meant to be, not just to take care of the patient, but their family,” she said.

The final part of their journey at Phoebe came under the care of hospice nurse Whitney Dale. “I didn’t have to do anything, Whitney had already done it by showing gentleness, love, compassion, and empathy in all she does. A was so glad she was with us in the end, and we all knew the care we received couldn’t get any better. Hospice nurses are angels from above,” M said. Austin passed away in August.