Jessie Jilovec
December 2023
Jessie
Jilovec
,
RN
4N
Research Medical Center
Kansas City
,
MO
United States

 

 

 

She listened to me when I would share B’s mental frustrations and emotional fears. She promised him she would always tell him the truth as she knew it, and he trusted her.
In 2018, B had a full code heart attack at home, went to Lees Summit Hospital, and was saved then transferred to Research, where his recovery continued with a thrombectomy, three fasciotomies to save his leg, burn unit for grafts, when his colon ruptured, emergency ostomy..after 41 days, he got to come home.. almost five years to the day, a trip to ER, with low oxygen, swelling in legs. For the next two days, tests, doctors, and specialists were all working to find the cause and, again, medical care to save and give quality of life back to B.

As his life partner for over 20 years, I try to advocate for B, sharing that he is triggered by medical issues, fearful of a repeat of 2017. The staff, doctors, and nurses are all so empathic while giving professional life-saving care. On this trip, we were blessed by many, but I wanted to share just how special this nurse was to us. She offered assurance when he was desperately in need. She listened to me when I would share B’s mental frustrations and emotional fears. She promised him she would always tell him the truth as she knew it, and he trusted her. I watched him be in absolute despair, to having hope and less fear.

This nurse has a gift, beyond her medical expertise, the human connection, empathy, and strength to use her skills for the care of this patient. From medical care to getting him food or drink, always asking if she could get me something, or if I needed anything, popping in as she said, to “check on him,” we saw her often, sometimes for a moment, but he knew she was right there if he needed her, just her walking in the room was comforting for us both. She teased him at times, which he loved, she even told him he was going to be fine, she had good vibes.. she was correct.

I am nominating this nurse for the DAISY Award, and I can not imagine the three days, during the most stressful part of this hospital stay, without her. She went above and beyond and was absolutely a joy to be around. We will forever be grateful for her being his nurse. We are blessed by Research Medical Center doctors, nurses, and staff. Thank you all.