I would like to recognize Cheryl Dufrene, RN in the Emergency Department at TGMC. She is a great, experienced nurse who is an asset to the community. She truly cares for her patients. A recent event occurred that perfectly demonstrates this compassion for her patients.
One night, a young female called the ER and asked to speak to a nurse. Cheryl happened to answer the phone. The young lady began asking vague questions about suicide and what should she do for her "friend". Cheryl answered all of the girl's questions but didn't allow her to hang up. It would have been easy to end the conversation at this point by saying, " you should bring your friend to the nearest ER" or "we can't give medical advice over the phone". But, Cheryl kept her on the phone and began asking questions of her own. During the conversation, Cheryl realized that this young girl was calling and asking questions about herself. At this point, Cheryl asked her to come to the Emergency Room so that we could help her. She never committed to seeking help, so Cheryl told her that she would be working in the Emergency Room all night and that if she needed to talk to someone, to please call the Emergency Room back and ask for Cheryl. She said that she would talk to her all night if she needed to.
About an hour later, the young lady presented to the ER with her mother. She had not informed her mother why she needed to come to the ER so late that night. When I interviewed her, she stated that she was thinking about suicide. Her mother was speechless in the corner of the room. The mother looked at me, began crying and stated that she had no idea she was having thoughts of suicide. The young girl stated that she felt worthless as a wife, a mother and to her family. She had been feeling depressed and thought that was how everyone should feel, but recently had been thinking about killing herself. The night before, she was planning to cut her wrist in the bathtub after everyone went to sleep. It took her a few days to prepare herself to do it. But, her husband had stayed up late watching a movie and she ultimately fell asleep before him, delaying her plan. The night she presented to the ER, she was planning to overdose on her father's sleeping pills when her parents went to bed. While waiting for her parents to go to bed, she called the Emergency Room and happened to speak to Cheryl.
After speaking with this young lady, I am convinced that Cheryl saved her life that night. That conversation could have gone several different ways resulting in the young lady staying home and carrying out her plan. Instead, Cheryl showed her that someone does care and offered her help from her dark corner. When Cheryl saw that she was in the ER, she went and thanked this depressed, young mother/wife for coming to the ER and allowing us to help her. This is why we do what we do.