Oklahoma Family Turns Unfathomable Loss Into Something Good Through ‘Thank You’ To Caretakers

An Oklahoma family devastated after losing their loved one to COVID-19 is taking time to thank the healthcare workers on the COVID floor at McAlester’s hospital.

"My name is Margo Carpenter. I am writing this letter on behalf of my family to give kudos to the staff of McAlester Regional Health Center on the COVID Unit and ICU Unit, caring for my father on his last days prior to passing on January 18th, 2021 while in ICU," Carpenter wrote in a thank you letter to the medical staff at McAlester Regional Health Center. 

There is power in the words "thank you," a power in thanking the people who fought alongside of your family when you couldn't be there.

"The staff provided our dad, the kind of love, care and compassion we would've given him if able to be by his side," Carpenter said.

Robert Jackie Risenhoover's family understands that power. On January 18, they lost a mountain of a man and a pillar in their family to COVID-19.

"Meagan took the time to dress in appropriate PPE and take the phone we purchased to my dad's room and hold it to his ear. Even though sedated and paralyzed, this allowed my mom, my sister and I as well as my dad's grandchildren and sons-in-law to call and say their goodbyes," Carpenter wrote.

After his death, Risenhoover's family wanted to say thank you to the men and women who were with him when he took his last breath. 

That simple thank you "validates what we do," said nurse Kelly Crabtree, one of Risenhoover's caretakers. "Most of us went into nursing because we wanted to take care of these people. To have those family members that you know are behind you - it does, it means a lot."

Risenhoover was a Vietnam veteran who loved to spend quality time with his family. He adored his kids and grandkids and great grandkids.

He lived in the Quinton area most of his life and was happily married for more than 50 years. He was a retired mechanic, never met a stranger, and would help anyone who reached out.

Risenhoover was so loved by his family that Jordy, one of his great-granddaughters asked to spend her eighth birthday party with her nana and poppa, flying all the way from Colorado to Oklahoma to make that happen.

Losing Risenhoover has been excruciating for his family, but they said they can't help but thank the people who were by his side, when they couldn't be.

"It was an honor," Crabtree said.