
Madison Cabe
February 2025
Madison
Cabe
,
BSN, RN
Labor & Delivery
Kootenai Health
Coeur D'Alene
,
ID
United States
Maddy's thoughtfulness during such an incredibly challenging time gave me strength and comfort that I will carry with me forever. Her kindness extended beyond clinical care; it touched my soul and reminded me that there is light, even in the darkest moments.
There are moments in life when a simple act of kindness becomes a lifeline, and for my family, that moment came from Maddy, a NICU nurse who cared for our son. Ten days postpartum, I fell ill with pneumonia and was hospitalized over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. As a mother, missing Christmas with my two older children, husband, and family was heartbreaking. I was discharged the day after Christmas, physically healing but emotionally overwhelmed by the weight of those difficult weeks. Late that night, as I sat at home pumping, I felt a wave of sadness and exhaustion wash over me. In that moment, I logged into the Angel Eye camera system to check on my son in the NICU. What I saw brought me to tears this time- tears of joy. There, on my swaddled baby boy, was a handwritten note that read, "Goodnight Mom + Dad! I love you! Love, XXX." It was written by Maddy, a nurse I hadn't yet encountered but who had already made an extraordinary impact on our lives. That simple note was more than just words on a paper towel; it was a reminder of love, hope, and connection at a time I needed it most. It showed me that even when I couldn't be with my son, he was surrounded by love and care from someone who truly understood the heart of a NICU parent. Maddy's thoughtfulness during such an incredibly challenging time gave me strength and comfort that I will carry with me forever. Her kindness extended beyond clinical care; it touched my soul and reminded me that there is light, even in the darkest moments. Maddy may never know the depth of her impact on me and my family, but she embodies the spirit of what it means to be a nurse- a healer not just of the body but of the heart. I am so grateful for her compassion and for the love she showed to our sweet boy and to us.