Anne* had a patient whose only close family member lived abroad. Anne shared daily updates with the patient’s sister by phone and described the real possibility that the patient may not survive.
As things worsened, the patient’s sister got on a plane to Orlando. She did not know where she would stay, what she would do, or how she could deal with the inevitable about to happen. But Anne took her in as family and said, “stay with me in my home.”
Anne stood by to offer solace and care to the grieving sister. On Anne’s days off she took the sister to the bank to deal with financial matters and to the patient’s former employer to finalize paperwork. Anne and the sister shared pain and memories while packing up the entire patient’s apartment. Utilities were ended and insurance claimed.
Through every step of this sister’s sad journey, Anne was by her side offering transportation, food and friendship. While Anne was at work, her church family stepped in, supporting the sister through the maze of issues needing attention.
When Anne was asked why she unselfishly gave her time, compassion and spirit to help another during a time of need, she simply said, “There was no one else here for her. What was I to do?”
Anne is just one of many nurses at Florida Hospital who truly lives our mission,
“To extend the healing ministry of Christ.”
* The nurse’s name has been changed to protect privacy and confidentiality
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