On 9 Main, we occasionally have patients with us for a long stay due to their cancer diagnosis. We recently had one of these patients. A cancer survivor who had undergone chemo and radiation, she was in remission and doing well until this past December when she was newly diagnosed with leukemia. She was in the hospital for over a month, but never let it get her down. She walked the halls every day encouraging staff and other patients and was a shining light on the floor. The staff all loved taking care of her, saying her spirit reminded us all why we became nurses in the first place.
The only thing this patient ever complained about was her bed. She could not sleep in the bed because it hurt her back so badly. She spent her nights napping in the chair, then walking the halls. One particular night shift nurse took it upon herself to make a change for this patient. Lynn Stolp had the idea to get this sweet patient a memory foam mattress topper. She had some coupons for Kohl's and thought it might help the patient rest. With the coupons and donations collected from 9 Main staff, Lynn purchased the item. The patient was overjoyed when she was given this gift, joking with the staff that now we would have to drag her out of bed. Lynn thanked the staff, saying, "Thanks to everyone who has been so willing to donate! She is an inspiring lady. Glad we were able to come together and make her time with us more comfortable. I love working with all of you so much. Can't imagine being anywhere else."
Lynn always pays close attention to detail, is organized and thinks well on her feet. She is very flexible and a total team player. She shows kindness in everything she does, and her relationship with this patient is just one example of how she truly establishes a relationship with her patients and shows them that she cares. She goes above and beyond for her patients, but I'm not sure she even realizes that is what she is doing. It is just in her heart to do the very best she can for each patient.