When I was 25 weeks pregnant with twin girls I was admitted for observation after a test was positive showing I could be in pre-term labor. I had no other symptoms and was feeling good. The next morning, I would have an ultrasound and hopefully be discharged home. During that ultrasound, I learned I would need an extremely high-risk surgery as a last-ditch effort to keep my girls from delivering at 25 weeks gestation. When I returned to my room, Cindy, who was my nurse for the first of many times that day, could tell the ultrasound did not go well and dropped everything she was doing to come with me to my room and sat next to me holding my hand, just listening. I was so scared and did not know what the future held but Cindy was there and I felt so reassured and comforted by her presence and knowing she was advocating for me. I went through with the surgery, the night before Thanksgiving, and Cindy stayed late after her shift to be with me through the surgery and until I woke up from anesthesia. I spent nearly the next 8 weeks in the hospital before I delivered two healthy little girls at 33 weeks gestation and Cindy was there to help bring them into the world. During my time in the hospital, Cindy was the bright spot to my day, my advocate, and provided such a sense of normalcy to so much that was unknown. Even when she wasn't my nurse she would come and check in on us, sitting down and giving us all of her attention when I know she was being pulled a million different directions, but she never once made me feel that way. When our girls were in the NICU she would bring over food and continued to offer any support and encouragement she could to me and my husband. When I think of all of the most memorable moments good and bad, Cindy was there and it brings a smile to my face knowing because of her we have two healthy and thriving little girls.
We continue to visit Cindy on the unit and our girls light up when they see her. It's like they know she was our angel who provided so much support, compassion and helped us get through the toughest times in our lives so far. As another nurse, when I think of qualities I strive to achieve, they are all ones that Cindy shows every day even when nobody is looking.