Currently on Deskovick 4 we have a patient who has been with us for over 100 days. She has been pregnant for every single one of these days. N came to us from the SICU after an MVA she was involved in at 18 weeks pregnant. N has struggled, and I mean STRUGGLED. She has faced so many obstacles, both physically and mentally. Her care has been the most multidisciplinary approach I think this hospital has seen. She has been seen by trauma, ortho, maternal-fetal medicine, OB-GYN, perinatology, metabolic, infectious disease, plastic surgery, psychiatry, pain medicine, dietary, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. As you may know, collaborating such a team is a project in itself. Who runs all this and makes sure everything is being done, who makes sure nothing is forgotten? Colleen Connor. She is the captain of this ship.
Now that you have a little of a back story, I can TRY to explain even a part of N's story to make you see how much of an impact Colleen has had in N's care. When we first realized we were in it for the long haul with N and knew that she would be with us up until her scheduled C-section, her health and well being became a priority for all of us, but Colleen was able to really step up and take it to another level. Nothing got past Colleen and she never stopped fighting to get EVERY SINGLE THING N needed. She did not take no for an answer and would not let N fall apart in front of our eyes. Colleen's priority was to get N through this stay, to get her to her C-section, and get her to become a mom.
The most important thing Colleen has done, and it's really exceptional, is got everyone together for weekly interdisciplinary care meetings. A room full of doctors, nurses, and other health care staff, every week to discuss one patient. The team was able to come up with a plan every week and discuss next steps. This process made everyone feel supported and we felt confident to care for such a complex patient. Every scenario was mapped out and we were ready for everything and anything. This wouldn't have happened without Colleen.
Besides the medical aspect of this all, Colleen has been a great support to N's mental state. Even the littlest things make the biggest difference, to help make her feel human. Such as when Colleen realized N would be here for a long while she went in and brushed, and French braided her hair. When Colleen realized the doctors may have been a little too rough removing N's bandages, Colleen stepped in. She had the doctors call her before every dressing change so she could go in an hour before and take the entire hour removing the old bandages slowly and giving N the breaks she requested. Colleen was also the team leader in organizing a surprise baby shower for N. We started this baby shower process by giving N an actual shower on a stretcher down in the ED. Colleen went out and bought good smelling soaps, loofas, a facemask, and brought in a shower speaker to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Today at 34 weeks pregnant, we had her baby shower, and N was overcome with emotion and was so grateful. We were able to provide her with a beautiful day, all the essential baby items, and most importantly gave her a day she had to, unfortunately, miss out on in the real world.
Colleen is an inspiration. She is compassionate and she is kind. Although I already knew it, this experience truly showed me how big her heart is. Colleen deserves to be recognized for all she has done and continues to do, especially with this patient.