Cheryl Crary shows so much compassion to all her patients and is completely selfless in her actions. She always maintains a positive attitude in all she does. Cheryl is always the first one to jump in and help when her team needs her.
Recently, we got a very young stroke patient on our unit. Little did any of us know that we would have this patient for three long months. Also, little did any of us know what a great impact she would have on our lives. As any young person would, this patient became depressed on and off during her hospital stay. Cheryl had the idea that taking her outside to the duck pond would help brighten her spirits. With much coordination with all the staff, she took her outside. After this patient spent time outside, you could instantly tell that being outside rejuvenated her. Thanks to Cheryl, going outside was now a daily occurrence in her plan of care. Throughout her stay on 4S when she was feeling depressed and refusing to eat, the nurses knew to call Cheryl to help lift her spirits and help her get through the rough times. Cheryl had a way with her that helped persuade her to keep fighting. Cheryl had a way of talking the patient into anything. I even heard staff telling the patient if she does not eat, then they were going to call Cheryl on her day off and get her to talk her into it. This patient would choose not to speak to her nurses of techs if she was having an off day. However, if Cheryl walked in, she would indeed always speak to her.
This patient also enjoyed dressing up and was interested in jewelry and painting her nails. To get out of the hospital room, Cheryl helped coordinate with staff to take this patient to the gift shop for a change of scenery. Cheryl and other staff asked her which jewelry set she liked. When the patient expressed her interest in a specific set, Cheryl didn't hesitate to chip in and purchase the jewelry for her. Cheryl knew this small gesture would help the patient, as she so much enjoyed getting out of the hospital gown and dressing up for her therapy sessions.
The very first day when we realized she could have a regular diet (after weeks and weeks of tube feeds and pureed diets), the staff wanted to do something special for her. One of the occupational therapists planned a pizza party for this patient. Cheryl insisted that this patient get dressed up for the party. She even asked what kind of music she wanted to listen to. When she found out about the party, this patient didn't hesitate to grab the jewelry set that Cheryl had purchased for her special event. She got dressed up to go to a pizza party in our conference room. To see this young patient so happy in getting dressed up to get out of her room for a pizza party made everyone's day. It showed that this small gesture that Cheryl did made the world of a difference for this patient and motivated her to keep fighting.
This young lady went from not being able to walk, toilet herself, or talk; to dancing down the hall on the day she discharged. It was such a pleasure to watch her transform and be rehabilitated on 4 South. Cheryl was a huge part of making that happen. Cheryl goes above and beyond for her patients and is an amazing nurse, we are so fortunate to have her as a part of 4S. Cheryl would tell you that this is just "part of her job". I would beg to differ. Cheryl made a significant difference in this young lady's life and set an amazing example for the rest of us.