I came into the hospital for life-changing, gastric sleeve surgery. I had exceptional care throughout my stay, but one nurse stood out above the rest! I arrived on the postop unit awake and comfortable and ready to go. My nurse, Monica,recognized my eagerness to move and took no time to assess me and allow me to walk with her assistance. She walked along with me and we chatted during my lap on the unit. She seemed to have all the time in the world for me like I was the only patient under her care, but I knew she had several other patients. During my stay,Monica often checked in on me and stopped to take time to chat and meet my needs. She really made efforts to fine tune my care to what I wanted and needed, which was exceptional.
At the end of the first day, she jokingly told me I would be "stuck with her tomorrow." I felt very fortunate and comforted that she would be there again the next day. The next day, I was tired and she was extremely conscientious to assure that I was able to doze with limited interruptions. I had progressed well during my stay and was now allowed to take the first big step of sipping liquids. I did well with my first 2 ounces and now it was time for my Prilosec. Monica stood with me when I immediately refluxed the pill and supported me during this ordeal, offering peppermint oil for nausea and rubbing my back. This episode passed with her help and I was successfully able to take my next pill with no difficulty. My day progressed well with my nurse cheering me on as I would do my laps every 4 hours.
It now came close to discharge and my nurse recognized that I did not have postop Lovenox ordered to prevent blood clots, a major complication of this surgery. She contacted the NP and surgeon to coordinate and ask why the med was not ordered. The surgeon actually came to the floor and explained that I had had scar tissue that had pulled on my spleen during the surgery, which required some surgical hemostatic agent and therefore I would not be a candidate for Lovenox, due to the potential for bleeding complications. Monica was there to reassure me and said "we need to keep up the walking and keep the SCDs on when you are not up and about."
I am so thankful for the efforts of this one nurse and entire nursing team for their care. I am thankful that there are nurses like Monica still at the bedside to cheer their patients on advocate in their care! My husband was extremely impressed and even said "she reminds me of and old school nurse that is young. I would have never left you alone if it weren't for the confidence I had in her care." Thank you, Monica, for being at my bedside, being my advocate, cheering me on, and caring for me!