Sarah was my father's nurse on multiple occasions while he was in the COVID area until his death in December.
She always answered my calls when I would call to check on dad with caring and respect, even at 4:30 in the morning. She was honest with her words but compassionate. Dad really appreciated how she went out of her way to help him get comfortable as the pain worsened.
When things took a drastic turn towards my dad's passing, she asked him what he would like and he requested a Dairy Queen and a shot of bourbon. She arranged on her own to get my dad the Dairy Queen and was working on the bourbon when I called her. She met my sister and son when they got to come to visit dad for the one hour allotted to dying patients and helped put them at ease as well. When the time was up for the family to leave, she said she would sit with dad so he wouldn't be alone. The doctor I spoke with later that night told me Sarah treated my dad like her own. He was propped with pillows and comfortable with Sarah beside him as he died.
She was truly the hands and feet of Jesus for us and for our father that night.
It is difficult to put into words what true compassion means and looks like in a situation such as we were facing. I can't adequately convey the warmth of Sarah's exchanges with us or the way she put my father at ease as he realized he was dying. So much of the time we focus on keeping people alive, we forget their needs and wishes at death. These things can rarely be taught. When you experience it for yourself, you are a little better for having met this person. We are all better for having met Sarah Vlasic.