University of Tennessee Hospice in Knoxville, Tenn., recently had a 19-year-old patient. Heather Pierson, RN, developed a special relationship with this patient and her family. The patient is child-like and Heather would sometimes bring her action figures or other toys. Then the patient decided that she really wanted a “Build-A-Bear”. An anonymous donation was made at the agency for the patient to be able to obtain one.
Heather helped her to record “I love you Mommy,” which would be embedded in the stuffed animal for her family to keep. Janna Preston, chaplain, met the patient and her family at the Build-A-Bear store. She took pictures for them as they participated in this special day. The patient was thrilled to be able to build her special animal step-by-step. This was the one activity that she was able to accomplish as her health deteriorated.
Thank you to Heather and Janna for giving our patient a beautiful memory for herself and for
her family after she is gone.
