Jim Ingle
Brent and I need to thank the medical professionals who cared for him the past three years. I don't want to start listing names for fear of leaving one out. Needless to say many of you cared for him numerous times and got to know him well, and he you. You are all amazing.
The ER and EMS team at Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert, Idaho who were first to provide emergency care and transport that Monday morning. We know this wasn't easy on you guys. He wasn't just another patient, he was your brother. Brent knew he was in good hands the moment he walked through the door.
The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit team at the University of Utah. You all are talented, caring heroes in every sense of the word. Brent spent a lot of time in your care and he always felt safe with you. You saved his life multiple times, and you helped him rally each time. Some of you literally held his hand through many nights when things looked bad. Thank you for for many nights that you let me hang out, and for answering my endless questions. I started to learn how to be a caregiver by watching your example. I'm so glad he was back in your care at the end. You were the people who knew him best and knew exactly how to make him comfortable.
The LVAD and Thrombosis teams at the University of Utah. You had Brent's and my back from day one, and never once faltered in your support. He knew this. It was such a relief knowing we could call you 24/7 with any question or issue. And you helped solve so many logistic problems, times when our heads were just spinning and we didn't know what to do. Brent made many happy memories the past three years because of your talent and support.
The respiratory therapy team at the University of Utah. Brent relied on you so much. It was his breathing that always caused him the most distress. He and I were always relieved when you walked into the room during those times he was struggling. You could literally see his anxiety drop whenever you got there. You were so caring and patient with him.
The physical therapy and speech therapy team at CVICU and at inpatient rehab. Brent may have always had a sarcastic eye roll for you when you walked into the room. Underneath his tough exterior, he knew you were there to help him. I remember you getting him upright on the tilt table that first week so he could look at us from a standing position and not from the bed. I swear it took an hour to get him upright and he only stayed up for about ten minutes. But it was worth it just to give him a sense of self again. That meant so much. You challenged him to always go further and you helped him regain his mobility, his dignity and his life.
Marissa and Alex at Neuroworx in Sandy, Utah. I never dreamed I would see Brent walk up and down a flight of fifteen steps on his own. Or make two laps around the basketball court. Or be able to grasp objects with his hand. Or go shopping pushing a grocery cart through the store as part of his therapy (and trying to sneak beer into the cart). You hadn't helped a VAD patient before at Neuroworx, but you both rose to the challenge and helped him succeed beyond our wildest dreams. You made us believe in miracles.
The Cardiovascular Medical Unit team. I never liked the term "step-down unit". Each time you took care of Brent, it was on his way home from CVICU. You continued to take great care of Brent and always made sure he had the tools he needed to succeed at home. Also you, like the ICU team, allowed me to learn how to take care of Brent when he got home.
Nephrology and outpatient dialysis. You were always hopeful and encouraging. And Sharon you made the training memorable. Brent always giggled at the sight of that poop chart on the wall.
But the most important person we need to thank is YOU Brent. You fought through all the challenges, the pain, the fear, the frustration, and the anxiety. Through it all you remained the same Brent I've always known and admired. Your grace and your sense of humor were still there. (You know it's not very nice to ask someone to help you with something and to rip off a hellacious fart when they lean over your bed. You had that big Ole grin on your face). We got your garden done, we had some more adventures, made some more memories, you got to fall asleep in some more movies, discovered some new restaurants, spemt time with friends, laughed alot, you taught me your salsa making secrets, lived through an earthquake and a pandemic, and we took care of Paddy.
It was my honor to be by your side. Go rest, you've earned it. I'll see you when I get there.