Answer the Call

“I’m hungry - where we going for dinner?” Kristina asked.

“McDonald’s?” I laughed. “My treat. You’ve been a great Uber Driver. 5 stars.”

“You know what? This is the last time I drive you around. Everytime we’re together something bad happens” Kristina retorted.

“It’s hospice - sometimes bad things happen. What do you expect?” I replied with feigned indignation. “Fine. You deserve a Panera Bread for your services, young Jedi.”

”I’m older than you!”

“But you look younger. You age like wine. I age like cheese” I joked with her, preparing to see my last client for today.

“Yes, this is true. I am much prettier than you” Kristina laughed, pulling into the parking garage of the facility. We received a report that this patient was declining, but that she had received medications and was resting comfortably. My objective was to simply check on her, speak to her power of attorney, determine any service issues, and collaborate with the facility staff. Kristina, having done joint visits with me all day, was, in fact, my reluctant chauffeur.

“Just make sure she’s okay” Kristina stated. “It didn’t sound good from the report.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure everything is fine. Just get some charting done and we’ll have dinner soon” I assured her, getting my bag and heading out of the car.

“Pshhh, oh yeah, charting” Kristina replied sarcastically. “I’ll do that later. I wanna see if my Nike Pegasuses are on sale yet.”

“Buy me a pair too. We can be twinsies” I laughed.

“Whatever. Just go and make sure she’s okay” Kristina retorted, already scrolling on her phone.

I eventually reached the patient’s room and met with her and her caregiver. Upon looking at the patient I realized someting was immediately wrong.”

“Brenda” I asked. “Is everything okay?”

Brenda stared at me with countenance of fear and replied, between gasps, “I… can’t… breath.”

“It’s okay Brenda… everything will be okay. We’ll take good care of you” I tried to calm her. I asked her caregiver if the medtechs had any medication on hand, but she informed me that they weren’t allowed to administer certain medications, and that they needed new orders. I told Brenda not to worry, and that I would have a nurse come and check on her, and I would stay every step of the way. Brenda nodded, but the trepidation never left her eyes.

I stepped into another room and made a phone call.

”Nova… it’s me. Brenda isn’t doing well… she’s having trouble breathing and the facility staff may need new orders to give meds.”

”Oh shoot…” Nova replied. “I’ll try to see if there are any nurses in the area…”

”Actually… Kristina is here. She dropped me off” I replied. “She can probably help.”

”Can you ask her? Please?” Nova inquired. “Maybe we can start ICC for Brenda.”

”I’ll let her know. She should.” I hung up and called Kristina.

“How is she?” Kristina asked.

“Lilo… she’s not doing well” I replied. I explained the situation, and before I was done Kristina said “Stay there. I’m on my way up.”

What followed was a masterclass in patient care, courtesy of Kristina. She met Brenda and gave her assurance that she would be comfortable. She coordinated with our hospice physician and nurse practitioner to write new orders for medication; she collaborated with the caregiver and medtechs in the facility; she contacted Brenda’s power of attorney; all while provided the emotional and medical treatment that Brenda needed. Shortly after Kristina was able to administer treatment, Brenda began resting comfortably. We stayed with her for hours, Kristina monitoring her vitals and providing the hospice team with updates. After a while, Brenda woke up and we asked her how she was feeling.

“Much better” Brenda replied, managing her first smile at Kristina. “I can breath easier now. Thank you.”

”No worries my dear” Kristina consoled her. “We’ll stay for a while longer and another nurse will come to stay with you too.”

”Thank you so much” Brenda said before falling back asleep.

We left Brenda later that evening after another nurse relieved Kristina. We also ate the fated McDonald’s that I had sardonically promised Kristina. Early the next morning, we received notice that Brenda passed away calmly in her sleep, all thanks to Kristina. When I later thanked Kristina for all she did for Brenda, she simply replied “It’s what she needed. I couldn’t just leave her.” Though her response was taciturn, it was earnest, and I knew I could count on her whenever times were toughest.