We had some awesome nurses while my mother was in the ICU. I could not have asked for better care for my mother. I met a nurse who went over and beyond his duty. During shift change, my mother coded again. I had no clue who was her nurse, but after they got her stable again, I met Brandon Caldwell. The doctors were coming in and out shocked that my mother was in this situation because she was fine Wednesday. The doctors were telling Brandon what to do and he was doing it as fast as he could. When no one was in there I would ask Brandon what was all going on and that I wanted him to be honest with me. He explained things while he was working on my mother with the doctor's orders. I asked Brandon a question that I never thought I would have to ask in a million years. I asked him what if she codes again.
He told me at that moment I might need to think about all possibilities, just in case. He was honest like I asked him to be with me. I spoke with my other family while they were still trying to get her stabilized. When I left out of that room I had no hope but I came back and they had got an artillery line in and got a true BP. I was about to tell Brandon my decision and he stopped me he said: "I don't think we are there so let's just see." That was the best news I heard that day.
I had not been asleep since Monday around 8 am or ate anything. Brandon kept telling me to get some rest that I needed to take care of myself. I couldn't leave her side because my mother was all I had. Brandon and I would talk about things then he would tell me that I need to lay the chair back and get some rest. He would say, "I will tell you or wake you if anything changes." I couldn't do that though. So finally she was stable to where Brandon and my husband talked me into going to get some food. Brandon promised me that if anything changed he would call me. So I went and got some food only because I trusted Brandon!! Bless his heart, that boy never sat down and didn't eat lunch until he was sure she was stable enough.
They wanted to her get stable enough to go have a CT to see what was going on. I asked Brandon what he thought and if he would go with her if she did get stable enough to go. He looked at me and said that he would be going with her no matter what time was she went. I felt relief come over me then because I trusted Brandon. The day went on and we kept talking and was in and out because I tried to give them as much space as he needed to work. I didn't want to be in the way. Brandon never made me feel like I was in the way. He kept telling me that I was fine and he would let me know if the family needed to step out.
Later that day the doctor came in and was talking to Brandon. I asked the doctor if he thought my mom would be able to go for the CT. The doctor looked at Brandon and asked Brandon what did he think. Brandon said, "yes sir I think she is stable enough to go." The doctor looked at me and I stated that I trust Brandon and if he says that my mom is stable enough to go, then she needs to go. Brandon got everything and everybody to take her to CT. Brandon promised me he wouldn't leave her side. After they came back they got her back in the room and settled. Of course, I had all kinds of questions for Brandon. I was thankful he never got frustrated with me at all and always told me the truth like I asked him.
I want to do something for Brandon to show my appreciation and for putting up with me those 12 hours or longer. Even though I got the worse news possible, it meant so much to have caring people to take care of my mother during her stay in the hospital.
I couldn't ask for better care than what she got from everyone. I wish I could tell Brandon in person what he did for me and how much it meant to me!!!