Tuesday, April 28, 2020
As a Respiratory therapist I took care of Mr Burgess in his last days. I took care him in Critical Care @ BIDH in Plymouth. I tended to him while on the ventilator and was happy the day i was able to extubate him from it. I placed him on oxygen and talked to him about his life and his family. He loved his wife of 57 years more than the average guy. He said he picked the right girl. He was proud of his children and the education they had received. Education was so important to him. On this past Sunday, Suzy his nurse and I pushed his bed as close to the window as you could get it so he could see his family peering in from the window. They called in to the room on their cell phone and Richard was able to see them and talk to the about dying. He told them all how much he loved them and how happy his life had been. His wife tried to see him but with blinds up it was a struggle to see through the slats. Suzy walked out and gave his wife a mask and face shield. She guided her into critical care so that they could say goodbye. The conversation was beautiful and loving. They were not able to kiss or hold hands but the look in his eyes was all you needed to see. He got to see her...he got to say he loved her and talk about all the wonderful things they had done in life. He thanked her for choosing him and she did the same. He was tiring...it was only 15 minutes...but it was all he needed. He fell asleep exhausted from the visit after she left. For all who knew him...you were blessed....for all who loved him....he was blessed. There are some patients that you take with you...Richard Burgess will be one of those patients I will take with me.
Denise Montville
Respiratory Therapist
