Although our NICU baby was technically the only patient in our family, we had many questions and needed a lot of reassurance. Doris was just as attentive to our emotional needs as she was to the physical and emotional needs of S. We very much appreciated Doris' calm and comforting demeanor and we really felt at ease around her. She not only took the time to answer, in detail, all our questions related to S's care, but also provided us with a wealth of incredibly helpful parenting tips and answered questions that we would not have even known to ask. We grew to implicitly trust all the information that Doris provided (which by the way has all proved true) and we knew that S was getting the best possible care, even when we could not be there.
I gave Doris my e-mail address and permission to take pictures of S. She sent me a picture when S was switched from the CPAP to the nasal cannula, and that ended up being the picture of S that we sent to our whole family. Doris also later sent us a picture where S's face was much less swollen than it had been, and his eyes were open. We wept tears of joy when we saw this picture as it was the first time we saw his eyes. We greatly appreciated that Doris rejoiced with us as S improved. Doris was off work for the next couple days after the photo where we saw his eyes, but Doris was the very first person I e-mailed when S was off the cannula and breathing on his own.
During a visit where we could bring his big sister, E, in, Doris was wearing a shirt with chickens and roosters as well as chicken earrings and a lanyard with chickens and eggs on it. E has always been shy, but she loved Doris' outfit and instantly warmed up to her. The next time we were in, Doris was wearing an outfit with an insect theme, specifically because she knew that E would appreciate it.
We are thankful that S is home and doing well, and thankful for the time we could spend with Doris. The care that Doris showed to our family had a huge impact on all of us. Doris is the best and the extraordinary level of care and compassion that she showed to us is the mark of excellence that everyone should strive for. Thank you Doris!