I wanted to thank all the nursing staff who took care of my mother, Bertha. She passed away at St. Mary's on March 6, 2009, at the age of 95. My mom was a wonderful woman who saw good in all. She lived a happy healthy life till she fell at home on March 3, 2009 and broke her hip and 3 ribs. Being a nurse at St. Mary's, I received a call from my brother during 7 a.m. nurse's "huddle". I was able to meet my mom in ER that morning shortly after 7 a.m.. She had partial total hip surgery the next day. Apparently a heart attack caused her fall at home. She had several heart attacks during her hospital stay, and finally a fatal heart attack on Friday, March 6, 2009. Up until her fall, she was independently living at her country home in Sun Prairie. She was a very strong, yet gentle woman who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. I wanted to thank the staff and doctors at St. Mary's who took such good care of her during her hospitalization. My mom was lucid, talking, and even laughing up till a few hours before her death. She also expressed her appreciation for all of the great care the doctors and nursing staff provided.
I feel so blessed to have had the privilege of spending time with her while she was hospitalized and spent several days and 2 nights with her. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating and professional. I have worked at St. Mary's for 38 years and have always found the nursing care at St. Mary's to be exceptionally wonderful. Many thanks to the awesome nursing staff on 5 East Wing. Special thanks to Dr. Matt Klein who helped my mom and family so much with his kind and Godly spirit. I, along with my family, were able to be with my mom in the final hours of her life. The pastoral service staff was present when needed and did such a beautiful job praying, and singing with us. I can't tell you how much that meant to our family. I will never forget the nursing assistant who had tenderly bathed and cared for my mom earlier in the day, came into our room and gave me a hug and kiss and with tears in her eyes also gave my mom a kiss on her cheek. Her name was Jacquelinette, she was like an angel! All of the nurses were kind and compassionate, meeting every need as it came up. I feel my mom had a beautiful ending to a very beautiful life.
We were present with her till her last breath, singing and praying together. I just wanted you to know how proud I am to be working for a hospital that not only has an incredible mission statement, but also practices it through revealing the healing presence of God. We, as a family, felt the healing presence of God, no doubt. We are confident in the fact that because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our mom now rests in the loving arms of our Lord AND that we who put our trust in Him will all be together one day in heaven. And what a wonderful celebration that will be!! Thank you one and all and God bless you and your mission always!
Love,
Rosie, LPN IBCLC RLC
Return to Patient Stories