I want to recognize Carla on behalf of many patients whom she has cared for over the years at the clinic. Many patients and their families mentioned the incredible experiences they had with Carla whether they were at the office to see their doctors or talking to her on the phone.
I had a recent interaction with a family member of a patient at the clinic. This family member told me of his experience with Carla in the following:
My wife needs help. She has been addicted to cocaine for the past 4 years. Sometimes, I did not know what else to do except to take her to see her doctor at the clinic hoping that she will get better if they can just talk to her. One time, I managed to drive her to the clinic but she refused to come into the clinic to be seen. I had no choice but to leave her in the car and went to the front desk to explain the situation. The front desk receptionist called the nurse and she came out to meet me. We went into a room to have some privacy in discussing my wife's situation and she was very patient with me. As you can probably tell, I tend to stutter when I talk. That day, my wife had once again, binged on cocaine. I was very worried about her so I just brought her and showed up at the clinic. We were not on the doctor's schedule. When I was talking to that nurse, I remembered multiple people knocked on the door to ask her something and I could tell that she was very busy. She did not rush me like some nurses I have had in the past. They would just cut me off while I was talking or attempt to finish off my sentences thinking that they've known me all my life. Carla was different. From her listening to me and asking me questions, not once did I feel like she was trying to brush me off or let me know that my problems are not important to her. I did not feel judged by her even though I have a drug addict in my family, and therefore, we must all be doing drugs together. Instead, she went out to the parking lot with me and talked to my wife about getting help with her cocaine addiction. We spent another 15 to 20 minutes or so at the parking lot trying to get my wife to come in. My wife eventually did come in and saw her doctor that day.
I will be blunt and say that I know I am poor. I don't have anything to offer up and I know that some people see me as a needy one. One thing I am certain is that I can tell who has a big heart and who really wants to help others. I know I can't have everything I have dreamed of in life, like a grocery store I can walk to that is not a gas station, or a trail by my neighborhood that I can feel safe walking with my kids without having to worry about criminals coming out to beat my kids and rob what little money we had. Despite the reality I live in, I try hard every day to count my blessings. One of the blessings I know I have is Carla. She truly cares about my wife and me. I know that much because in the past, I have called the clinic and she would be the one calling me back and listen to me when I was at a loss about my wife relapsing on cocaine. She would remind me of the resources out there that can help me in fighting this battle. I always think of Carla as an angel sent by God to help the outcasts like me. I want everyone to know that I really appreciate Carla with her extraordinary compassion and patience toward me and my troubled family.
From the above narrative, I realize that compassion is something everyone appreciates, yet we often forget its existence when the stress from work gets the upper hand in our lives. Compassion fatigue becomes a familiar term rather than compassionate care. With the greater needs of healthcare around us, we struggle with meaningful interaction with our patients and each other. I am happy to witness my colleague's act of kindness toward the patients we care for every day.
Carla Williams is a true DAISY Nurse!