12 G R A D U AT I O N & C O N V O C AT I O N 2 0 2 0 The Griffins are living proof that 'Love grows here.' Compassion Without Fatigue HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN LIFE AND NURSING By Dana Brandorff F or Chris Griffin that is the question she posed during her PhD thesis presentation. A nurse at Children's Colorado Hospital for the past 19 years, Griffin has had her share of intense heartache and joy. " We live these extremes every day. They aren't fictional stories. They become a part of our consciousness and affect who we are, " said Griffin. Often facing anger or fear from patients and their families, " It can be completely draining. You build walls of self-protection and self-preservation. Coping with the constant intensity of what you do. " CU College of Nursing | December 2020 BEING THERE DURING THE BEST AND WORST TIMES Griffin has been there at the best and worst parts of people's lives, including when their children are dying. In one case, a mother handed her son to Griffin to be with him during his last moments. " She told me she couldn't handle it. She pleaded with me not to leave him alone. It was heart-wrenching, but I had to be there for both of them. " Griffin thought she was " managing the extremes well. " Years later, her sons told her that their father would forewarn them when she had a bad day. " The boys had their own secret code if it was a good night or a bad one. If I had lost a patient, they'd be on their best behavior. " According to