Leah Bruun
December 2024
Leah
Bruun
,
BSN, RN
CVICU
Banner Heart Hospital
Mesa
,
AZ
United States
Leah is, without a doubt, one of the most competent, caring, and professional RNs there is. She is also a truly wonderful human being. Her level of care and compassion are the “gold standard” of nursing and should be the example of what all RNs should aspire to be.
I am writing today to nominate Leah for the DAISY Award. The circumstances that led me to the Banner Heart Hospital Emergency Room, and ultimately the CVICU, were many and varied. Some would call them coincidences, but upon reflection, I believe they were the work of a higher power. I believe it was the hand of God that brought me there and ultimately caused my and Leah’s paths to cross.
I arrived in the CVICU after having a procedure to treat bilateral pulmonary emboli. Leah’s shift began at about 6 hours post-procedure. By that time, I had been on my back for approximately 8 hours, unable to move my legs or my body any significant amount. She came in, introduced herself and said she would be taking care of me. Her calm yet confident demeanor was evident, and I immediately took a strong liking to her.
Leah would proceed to care for me for the next 12 hours, which was the most difficult, uncomfortable, and painful time I have ever experienced in my lifetime. Her experience as a CVICU specialist gives her invaluable insight into what a patient goes through during the 20 hours post-procedure. She began by changing my bedding, then bathing and repositioning me. It had the immediate effect of almost resetting the clock on my time lying in bed. We chatted a bit, and I informed her of my concern about falling asleep and possibly bending my legs, as I often do when sleeping on my back. She suggested I try a leg brace, and I agreed. She put it on, and I tried to get some sleep. It was not long afterward when I began feeling a deep, aching pain on the right side of my lower back. A pain that would only increase over time and last for the rest of my stay in the CVICU. Right on key, Leah came in and asked, “How are you doing?” I informed her of my pain, told her it was worse due to the leg brace, and she immediately removed it. I informed her of my previous lower back issues that I am being treated for, and she suggested I try using some wedges to help alleviate the pressure on my lower back. First, we tried the right, then the left, but neither really helped. All the while, she was constantly checking on my condition and pain level. I rarely, if ever, had to press my call button.
At some point during her monitoring of my condition, Leah observed a drop in my oxygen levels. She came in and asked if I had sleep apnea. After a brief conversation, Leah contacted my doctor, and within 30 minutes, I was again trying to sleep, this time wearing a CPAP mask. Her swift interventions showed her care and compassion for me but also allowed me to get approximately 3 hours of much-needed sleep by diverting my attention from my back pain to wearing this “alien mask” on my face. It was brilliant on her part!
Upon waking, the pain in my back had become almost unbearable, and the ability to resist moving and adjusting my position was almost impossible. At this point, I had been on my back and immobile for about 16 hours. Recognizing my discomfort, she began advocating on my part for additional pain relief. She informed me we would try a mild analgesic and then something stronger if needed. Again, I never had to call her. After a short time, Leah was at my side, asking about my pain, which had barely improved. She immediately gave me more medicine, and I eventually fell asleep. When I awoke, Leah was there, smiling and again asking, “How are you feeling?” Amazing. I thanked her for the pain management. “Are you thirsty?” “Would you like some water and some ice?” I said, “Yes, thank you.” When Leah left my room, I looked at the clock and realized that the inevitable was going to happen. Leah’s shift was about to end. I was going to lose and have to say goodbye to the angel God had sent to care for me during, quite possibly, the most difficult and stressful time in my life.
Leah is, without a doubt, one of the most competent, caring, and professional RNs there is. She is also a truly wonderful human being. Her level of care and compassion are the “gold standard” of nursing and should be the example of what all RNs should aspire to be. I will be eternally grateful for the care she provided, and it is my sincere hope this story will provide her with the recognition she so rightfully deserves. The DAISY Award is a great program, and no one deserves it more than Leah.
I arrived in the CVICU after having a procedure to treat bilateral pulmonary emboli. Leah’s shift began at about 6 hours post-procedure. By that time, I had been on my back for approximately 8 hours, unable to move my legs or my body any significant amount. She came in, introduced herself and said she would be taking care of me. Her calm yet confident demeanor was evident, and I immediately took a strong liking to her.
Leah would proceed to care for me for the next 12 hours, which was the most difficult, uncomfortable, and painful time I have ever experienced in my lifetime. Her experience as a CVICU specialist gives her invaluable insight into what a patient goes through during the 20 hours post-procedure. She began by changing my bedding, then bathing and repositioning me. It had the immediate effect of almost resetting the clock on my time lying in bed. We chatted a bit, and I informed her of my concern about falling asleep and possibly bending my legs, as I often do when sleeping on my back. She suggested I try a leg brace, and I agreed. She put it on, and I tried to get some sleep. It was not long afterward when I began feeling a deep, aching pain on the right side of my lower back. A pain that would only increase over time and last for the rest of my stay in the CVICU. Right on key, Leah came in and asked, “How are you doing?” I informed her of my pain, told her it was worse due to the leg brace, and she immediately removed it. I informed her of my previous lower back issues that I am being treated for, and she suggested I try using some wedges to help alleviate the pressure on my lower back. First, we tried the right, then the left, but neither really helped. All the while, she was constantly checking on my condition and pain level. I rarely, if ever, had to press my call button.
At some point during her monitoring of my condition, Leah observed a drop in my oxygen levels. She came in and asked if I had sleep apnea. After a brief conversation, Leah contacted my doctor, and within 30 minutes, I was again trying to sleep, this time wearing a CPAP mask. Her swift interventions showed her care and compassion for me but also allowed me to get approximately 3 hours of much-needed sleep by diverting my attention from my back pain to wearing this “alien mask” on my face. It was brilliant on her part!
Upon waking, the pain in my back had become almost unbearable, and the ability to resist moving and adjusting my position was almost impossible. At this point, I had been on my back and immobile for about 16 hours. Recognizing my discomfort, she began advocating on my part for additional pain relief. She informed me we would try a mild analgesic and then something stronger if needed. Again, I never had to call her. After a short time, Leah was at my side, asking about my pain, which had barely improved. She immediately gave me more medicine, and I eventually fell asleep. When I awoke, Leah was there, smiling and again asking, “How are you feeling?” Amazing. I thanked her for the pain management. “Are you thirsty?” “Would you like some water and some ice?” I said, “Yes, thank you.” When Leah left my room, I looked at the clock and realized that the inevitable was going to happen. Leah’s shift was about to end. I was going to lose and have to say goodbye to the angel God had sent to care for me during, quite possibly, the most difficult and stressful time in my life.
Leah is, without a doubt, one of the most competent, caring, and professional RNs there is. She is also a truly wonderful human being. Her level of care and compassion are the “gold standard” of nursing and should be the example of what all RNs should aspire to be. I will be eternally grateful for the care she provided, and it is my sincere hope this story will provide her with the recognition she so rightfully deserves. The DAISY Award is a great program, and no one deserves it more than Leah.