Janelle Cabana
July 2025
Janelle
Cabana
,
RN
Dept 335
Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center
Santa Clara
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

Her compassion, her touch, and her presence meant everything as I crumbled under the weight of my grief.
Janelle stood out to me on the last evening I spent with my mother when she had her third Rapid Response Team (RRT) call due to bradycardia and a dangerously low heart rate. As I entered the room, I saw my mom lying on her side, pale, with an oxygen tube in her nose and Zoll leads attached to her chest. The crash cart was there, and the scene was overwhelming. I instinctively voiced my distress, "Oh no,' But in that moment of chaos, Janelle remained calm, empathetic, and graceful in her care. She reassured me that the team was present, acknowledged my mother's DNR/POLST request, and was carefully monitoring and discussing her care at the bedside. Only minor medication adjustments were made to address her cardiac needs and ensure her comfort. Recognizing the emotional weight of the situation, I kindly asked for the crash cart to be removed, and Janelle made it happen. She allowed me the space to sit by my mother's side and absorb what was unfolding. As I reviewed her ECHO results on kp.org, I realized the inevitable-my mom was dying. Sitting beside her on her rollator walker, I pulled up an image of a heart to better understand what was happening. It became clear that her valves were failing, no longer able to pump blood through her heart. Overcome with emotion, I broke down in tears. In that vulnerable moment, Janelle gently placed her hand on my back and said, "It is hard to process when you know exactly what is happening." As a fellow bedside nurse at KP SCL, I have always been the one providing comfort to others, but that night, Janelle was my anchor. Her compassion, her touch, and her presence meant everything as I crumbled under the weight of my grief. Janelle understood the gravity of the situation and made it a priority to have the Hospitalist MD come to the bedside to speak with me. She was determined to ensure I had the clarity and support I needed. When the MD arrived, we had a heartfelt discussion about my mother's care, and together, we made the decision to shift our focus-discontinuing cardiac monitoring and prioritizing her comfort, in full alignment with her wishes. I will forever be grateful to Janelle. In one of the hardest moments of my life, she provided not only exceptional clinical care but also the deep empathy and human connection that every nurse hopes to embody. She helped transition my mother's care so smoothly, with dignity and grace, and for that, I will never forget her.