Paramedics Took A Detour To Grant A Woman Her Dying Wish

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Paramedics Took A Detour To Grant A Woman Her Dying Wish

ABC / Queensland Ambulance Service

Two paramedics fulfilled a woman's dying wish before she was moved from a hospital's palliative care unit to spend her final days at home with her husband.

The unnamed patient told the first responders of her dream to see the beach one last time, prompting them to make a detour to Hervey Bay in Queensland Australia.

A photograph posted to Facebook shows paramedic Graeme Cooper standing beside the woman on a stretcher, as stared they gazed at the calming waters, admiring nature's beauty.

"Above and beyond, the crew took a small diversion to the awesome beach at Hervey Bay to give the patient this opportunity - tears were shed and the patient felt very happy." Queensland Ambulance said in a Facebook post.

"Sometimes it is not the drugs/training/skills -  sometimes all you need is empathy to make a difference!" it added.

This story told to us by Helen Donaldson the Officer in charge of Hervey Bay is too good not to share. A crew were...

Posted by Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) on Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Paramedic Danielle Kellan -  captured the poignant moment - said the scene brought peace to the woman.

"I said to the patient: 'What are you thinking?'" Kellan told the Telegraph. "And she said: 'I'm at peace, everything is right.'"

In an interview with Courier Mail, Cooper and Kellan both said they try to make a difference in all their patients' lives.

Going the extra mile, Cooper went to the edge of the beach and filled an empty vomit bag with salt water. He brought it back to the woman so she could put her hand in the ocean one last time.

"She was there with her arm in the bag and feeling the ocean and she actually tasted the salt water," Cooper said.

"I could see her heart rate just accelerated. I can't describe the feeling when you're in these situations with people. It's just very humbling," he added.

Days after the paramedics performed their good deed, the patient passed away, which reminded Cooper never to take anything for granted.

"Life is too fast today,"  he said. "We don't take the time to take in the smell of the roses and look at the beauty around us."

What would be your last wish before you die?

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