I was induced at 37 weeks 3 days at Mansfield Hospital at 5AM. Crystal joined my Labor at 7AM. At 8AM, I was dilated to 3cm and requested placement of the epidural. Crystal explained the process to me prior to the CRNA arriving and informed me that B was going to be my CRNA placing the epidural. When B arrived, Crystal introduced him and assisted me in getting the epidural. Right after the placement, Crystal noticed that I made a funny face or mouth movement, and she asked me if I had a metallic taste. I told Crystal I don't think so, as my taste buds since COVID are not as good - I just think I did that because of the pain from the placement. The CRNA then jokingly but also seriously told Crystal not to start stuff. To which Crystal acknowledged. However, Crystal chose to stay in the room for an extended length of time, I noticed. Crystal started small talk and shared some personal photos. I began to feel the effects of the epidural, however instead of the epidural numbing my hips and below, I started to feel numbing in my neck. I communicated to Crystal that the back of my neck felt funny. Crystal stayed calm (still close) and communicated that it could have been just from the awkward position. I then started to feel the numbing rise into my head, arms, chest and spreading up. Crystal immediately raised my bed and explained that sometimes this can happen and that by raising my bed, it should travel back down.

At this time, Crystal called the charge nurse to the room. This is where things to me get fuzzy. There were 6-7 nurses who arrived quickly to aid Crystal. I was handed an O2 mask and told my vitals were dropping. I heard bp of 60/40, HR 30s, and O2 in the 70s. Being of a medical background myself, I knew this was not good and that cardiac arrest was very possible. I saw a nurse at the end of my bed who directed me to breathe. It seemed like hours. The CRNA B arrived (I was told later) and administered something to help. Shortly after, he left, and the nurses stayed to assist. I believe it was 10-15 minutes, and I started to become stable. As I recovered, Crystal communicated that the numbing would start to wear off and travel down. She explained that this could take up to 2 hours. I informed Crystal that I no longer wanted the epidural and would rather be in pain than dead. She called the CRNA who then advised against removal but did turn off the machine. Crystal reassured me that I could do the natural birth and that she loves natural births, and she would support me through this - as she knew I was scared. She shared tips - such as listening to music and meditating. She was there through the entire way to offer advice and support.

The reason I believe that Crystal deserves the DAISY Award is due to her attention to detail. Crystal noticed the first warning sign of my mouth reaction following the epidural placement. She then watched and listened for other warning signs indicating a complication. She then communicated quickly and effectively with her coworkers to assist her in a Rapid Response situation. If Crystal had not noticed the first warning sign and been attentive and alert, I could have gone into cardiac arrest during labor and not been here today. It is Crystal's attention to detail and alertness that makes her an Extraordinary Nurse. She is a huge asset to OhioHealth and has saved my life and I'm sure more to come.