August 2022
Melissa
Jamieson
,
BSN, RN
Ambulatory Neurosurgery
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Richmond
,
VA
United States
Melissa embraced his concerns with wisdom, kindness, compassion, empathy, and a sense of friendship.
In February 2022, my husband had a gradual decline in function and personality and was very uncertain about recommended brain surgery. His choice was disheartening, since his prognosis included continued decline, making him unsafe at home. Over several months, his thinking and reasoning suffered. With the help of our heavenly influence, my hubby agreed to return to the neurological center in March 2022 and we were blessed to have Melissa Jamieson as our nurse that day. It's a day that I will never forget. She knew he was coming to discuss a shunt procedure and she came to the waiting area to greet him, making him relaxed and comfortable. Melissa embraced his concerns with wisdom, kindness, compassion, empathy, and a sense of friendship. She guided him through the procedure, showed him the device, and addressed his questions--all of which aided him in deciding to pursue the surgery. I have tears in my eyes just telling this story. The previous April 2021, my husband suffered a quadruple bypass followed by cardiac arrest, resuscitation, renal failure, and memory impairment. During that time, we were beside ourselves. I mention this because during this unsettling heart episode, both his doctor and Melissa would check in frequently. Melissa's genuine concern and words of encouragement lifted me. Every day, I am thankful to see his improvement from the shunt surgery and for the first time in over a year, I feel happy and at peace. Melissa nursed us medically and emotionally. Her compassion and skill not only made a meaningful difference in our care it made a meaningful difference in our lives!!!! We are forever grateful. Thank you!