ICU Care Partners' Story

Our Intensive Care Unit patients are provided intense, life-saving care and attention around-the-clock. But there are moments, despite all the wonders of modern medicine, when end-of-life is unavoidable. At such times, our ICU care partners transform from life-saving superheroes into so much more.

Recently, a card with the beautiful bible verse, Second Corinthians Chapter 9, Verse 8, was addressed to the ICU doctors, nurses and staff from a family who had lost a loved one. “His kindness shines through you!” they added. Members of this family took the time to express in that card just what our actions had meant:

• “Words seem so inadequate to express my heart. I appreciate the time you spent caring for my dad and our family,” wrote one.
• “Thank you so much for taking care of my dad, and being so good to him. It’s nice to know his last hours were peaceful,” wrote another.
• “Thank you so much for all of your help while my pawpaw was sick - you made a hard time easier.”

The family’s gratitude continued:

• “… I know you were always busy, but it seemed you always put my dad first. Your care and dedication was beyond words.”

And finally:

• “Thank you so much for all of your tender care and attention toward my grandfather. The care you gave him means the world to me.”

As care partners, we sometimes are called upon to be present with another in his or her final moments, as well as with the families that have to let them go. To hold a hand. To be the shoulder to cry on. To quietly murmur words of consolation. What greater responsibility do we have in the face of such grief? That is what the ICU team did for this family. We understand that a patient is also a father, a grandfather and a friend. We treat him and his family with kindness, compassion, respect and loving care through his final moments. Giving loving, healing care - besides being the right thing to do - always means the world to someone.