World's Greatest Patient Advocate

G.O.A.T. For those who don't know, GOAT is the acronym for "greatest of all time". Muhammed Ali, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays are just a few names that come to mind when I think of GOATs.

I had the privilege to spend time with the best patient advocate I have ever seen. I will go as far as to say she is the greatest patient advocate of all time. I watched as she challenged doctors' opinions and monitored the care given to her family member. She was never disrespectful or disruptive. She asked questions and did timely research when it was necessary.

I am a registered nurse and so is my wife. We visited my brother and his family over the past few days and was truly amazed to witness my sister-in-law in action. My niece, who I am proud to say is a graduate of Duke University and is continuing to study medicine, was at her mom's side, is quite the advocate as well as the voice of reason whenever her mom needed it.

My brother has been battling multiple myeloma for 14 years. His wife has never wavered in her support of him or the rest of her family. I have seen her gather information on programs for treatment, make calls all over the country and stay on top of every aspect of his relationship with this disease.

I was with her 6 years ago when the doctors thought they had done all they could do and said we should start to settle his affairs. We are again at that point and are being given similar advice.

She does not pause. She begins to ask the opinions of others who are involved in his care. The infectious disease doctor, the pulmonary care doctor as well as the technicians, the nephrologist as well as the nurses, are all approached in this regard.

I witnessed this woman speak calmly to the critical care doctor and in no uncertain terms, let him know that she had to fight for her husband's life and hoped that he would continue to treat him aggressively.

She will continue to take care of my brother. Through the prayers from family and friends, she will persevere. She has my support, respect, and admiration as well as my love. In my opinion, every family should have someone like my sister-in-law involved when there is an illness. She is the greatest patient advocate of all time.