UPDATE: Power of social media helps Fall River man see dying wife

A Fall River man’s desire to see his dying wife galvanized the community to help him get his wish.

62-year-old Mike Medeiros posted a plea on social media Monday hoping the public could contact Charlton Memorial Hospital so he could stay with his 59-year-old wife Kimberly who is dying due to complications from an autoimmune disease.

“My wife is in Charlton Memorial Hospital and is not going to make it home. She’s going to pass away, and will be alone. There are visitor restrictions that allowed me a 1-hour visit yesterday, but that’s wrong. A spouse should be able to be with her until the end. After all, that would be an end of life visit. Flood their phones with complaints and protests outside. Let them know this is wrong. It’s a different story if a patient is going to be able to get out when feeling better, but nobody should have to die alone. Help me change this policy, not just for my wife, but for every patient and family member affected by this. Call for an end to this practice. Thanks for any support you can give. Even if it is just a phone call.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Governor Baker instituted an order for hospitals and nursing homes in Massachusetts to not allow visitors except for extenuating circumstances. Recently, outside visits have been allowed at nursing homes with restrictions, but the hospital policy remains in effect until Wednesday, June 10th, which is likely too late for Mike and Kimberly.

When it comes to a patient who is deemed to be at the end of life, the individual hospitals are left to create their own policy, leaving officials trying to balance between keeping patients and personnel safe concerning COVID-19, while giving loved ones a chance to say goodbye.

Thanks to those phone calls, Mike received his wish Monday evening.

Mike’s daughter Sherie stated that the family fully believes that her father is at the hospital right now due to the outpouring of support from the community. She passed on an update from her father.

“Social media works. I have now been told that I can see my wife multiple times a day with one hour increments and when they move her to another room I should be able to stay with her for the rest of her time. They have re-tested again for COVID-19 and are waiting for the results of that testing to come back (yet again). All family members who have anyone in the end of life stage should be able to visit exactly like this. Please remember this is not just about my wife and family. This is about all patients and all family’s rights to visit at the end stages of life. All of your phone calls to the hospital, Senators, and anyone else, including social media, has made a world of difference. I will be in with my wife to visit at 8 a.m., God willing.”

Mike issued an update this morning saying that the hospital stated to him that there was a miscommunication somewhere for him to be denied the end of life visitations he was requesting.

UPDATE: Kimberly’s son Mikey announced her passing this morning.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we inform everyone our mom, and loving wife has passed peacefully around 1:15 a.m. this morning.”

“We ALL want to thank each and everyone one of you for the overwhelming support our mother and father has received throughout. From the calls, to the messages of support, prayers, donations and sharing, so many hearts have bled for our parents. Because of all of YOUR help they were able to spend these final moments together, and you can not put into words what this has meant for them. You just can’t….”

“We know our mom isn’t just survived by us. She also lives in the fond memories so many of you have and share. We’d love the opportunity to hear them once services can be held.”

“Rest In Peace Mom, we love you Kimberly Shea Medeiros.”