We heard our 13 month-old granddaughter choking and gasping for air while she was in the playpen in our home. Fear overwhelmed me. It hit like a lightning bolt on a sunny day. No warning, it just showed up wrapped up in a cloak of confusion and terror. I tried everything I could remember about the Heimlich maneuver, but nothing was dislodging. When I pried open her mouth with my fingers I could see the back end of a metal hair barrette but only for a brief second and it disappeared. I knew it was not something she could swallow and pass. The choking and desperate look on her face told me to get her to the emergency room.
We got our granddaughter to the emergency room within minutes. Then I saw the power of focus and the spirit of compassion that I want to thank you all for. A nurse grabbed her out of my arms and yelled for help. Soon a swarm of caring and focused professionals took her back to an examining room, got some oxygen going and held the mask away from her nose and called for more specialized help. I had my arms around her while she was on the exam table and seeing all the strange faces and not knowing why the choking was going on, she looked into my eyes and hoped that I would help.
I said to my granddaughter, "The good guys are here, they will help you." I had faith, but to be honest it was shaky. Shame on me, but God uses moments like this to remind us the God on the Mountain is the God in the valley, too.
After two days in ICU, my granddaughter was kept hydrated and fed mechanically. She refused all food, but another rush of prayers made it to the Throne Room of the Father God, and He answered those prayers too. By Thursday night, applesauce finally did the trick and she took 6 oz of milk.
My precious granddaughter is back home smiling with a raspy cough and some uncertainty as to how long recovery will take her. Because of the focus, compassion, and training, you all had I am writing this letter. When we were getting the paperwork done, a caring woman in the workstation next to ours told us that the whole floor was praying for our granddaughter. Whoever you were, God bless you and all the medical professionals who helped us through this valley of the shadow of death. I believe Psalm 23:4, the rod or power of God was with me in the presence of the staff on duty that day. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
DAISY Team Award Honorees:
Kathy Leamon, RN
Jenna Peterson, RN
Carrie Potter, RN
Tammy Gilchrist, RN
Adam Murray, RN
Beth Coyle, RN
Sarah Risenhoover, RN
Matt Berry, RN
Jessica Hughes, RN
Rebecca Jones, RN Nurse Manager