I am an employee at Seton Main and have worked as the Social Worker on 7N, the Cancer Unit, for the past 23 years. I work with some of the most amazing nurses I have ever known which is one of the main reasons I remained on this floor for so many years. I live in Kyle and was admitted to Seton Hays with a virus which apparently attacked my platelets.
My platelets were "2" when I was admitted which made me believe I had acute Leukemia. I was overwhelmed with anxiety, panic and fear. I couldn't stop crying the first day while I waited for a bed in the ER. I was finally brought up to the 4th floor when I met my nurse, Jessica Fitch.
Jessica sat with me and took time to listen to my fears. She was so compassionate and caring. She emphasized that this could be caused by other factors and encouraged me to stop thinking the worst and to take one day - or one hour - at a time. She called the doctor and obtained an order for Ativan to help with my anxiety. Throughout then night, she checked on me frequently - talking to me in such a caring way and listened while I talked to her about my work with cancer patients. In the morning she came to say goodbye and said she would be back that evening. She held my hand and said she would pray for me. Just the sight of her walking in my room brought me immediate calm.
During the first full day in the hospital, I met with the oncologist who informed me that it was very doubtful that I have leukemia, as my other blood indicators were normal. I was in a much better place by the time Jessica came back for her shift. She came in to see me as soon as she arrived to see how I was. As I told her about my good news, there were tears in her eyes as she told me she had prayed for me all day.
This is an amazing nurse. Jessica made a huge difference in my hospital stay and I will never forget her.