January 2023
Kristina
Kelley
,
RN
Trauma | Ortho | Plastics | Burns
Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas
Austin
,
TX
United States
She spoke slowly and quietly into my ear while she gently touched my shoulder, so I would know it was okay, that I wasn’t alone.
Today is Day 7 of my husband’s hospital stay, and all of the hospital staff have been wonderful to him. Sadly, I have a pretty serious anxiety disorder which makes even leaving our home very difficult. I don’t normally ride in elevators and have been asking for help to go up to see him, then down to go home. Today, Kristina was so kind to offer to go down the elevator to get food with me, and she even stayed to go back up with the food after. On the 3rd floor, the elevator stopped, and the doors did not open. I began screaming in fear, crying my heart out. She got the doors to open and then proceeded to gently, carefully, and softly calm me down. She spoke slowly and quietly into my ear while she gently touched my shoulder, so I would know it was okay, that I wasn’t alone. I also think she shielded me from the embarrassment of my reaction to the doors not opening. What an incredibly kind thoughtful thing to do for someone with anxiety under duress. She offered me choices: would I like to conquer my fear and get back in the elevator, or we could take the stairs? Still crying, I couldn’t speak. She said so softly, “Let’s go up the stairs.” She said other kind things to normalize the awkward drama I had accidentally created. I thanked her and asked to hug her (she let me), and then I went to my husband’s room. I told him what happened, how sorry I was, and how sweet Kristina was. She is so sweet, competent, and genuine, and her natural reaction during this incident was to remain calm and to help in the most caring way imaginable. I felt safe, and because of her kindness, also a lot less ashamed. This is exactly what the ideal character of a highly qualified nurse looks and feels like. Y'all are incredibly blessed to have her on your staff. In the dictionary, under NURSE, there should be a picture of Kristina. Thank you for taking such great care of my husband.