I delivered 37-week old twins via repeat c-section. Baby B was smaller and started having difficulties with feedings and had no bowel movement. There were orders to start gastric lavage feedings. The nurses were performing feedings and J (Baby B) was becoming more restless and the abdomen was increasing in diameter. This went on for a couple of shifts.
Sam became our nurse in the morning of day two or three and took action. She made me feel listened to that something was not right with my baby. She immediately contacted the pediatrician on staff that day and moved J into the NICU for closer monitoring and increased cares. Sam listened to my concerns with noted family history of Hirschprung disease and began researching the disease to educate herself. We were in the process of ruling this out as a diagnosis but the process seemed to be a very long and painful process for J. Sam spent time with me at the bedside and encouraged me to talk about my feelings and stresses with twins, neither of them feeding well, and now one of my twins in the NICU and the other in my room. She comforted me while I cried and explained everything in a manner that even my husband with no medical knowledge could understand. She was direct but compassionate. She worked quickly and efficiently to help my poor baby.
Once the decision was made by the doctor and medical team to transfer J to Denver for a higher level of care, Sam again took the time to educate us on the process and what to expect once we arrived in Denver. She then called the team in Denver who would be receiving J to confirm their care preferences and any procedures or cares that she could perform here to make the transition and intake at their facility easier. This was again the process she followed with the flight crew. I understand that this is the nursing process but Sam made it seem like it was not a task or concern and that she wanted to do it for the ease and comfort of everyone involved in our care.
Once arriving in Denver the nurses raved about Sam's performance, communication, and engagement in J's care. Sam went above and beyond in our cares and we are so thankful for her care to our daughter. I believe that the quick decisions and care given here in Gillette made our NICU stay in Denver a positive outcome with a shorter stay. Sam is a wonderful advocate for her patients. She never made any of it seem like a job, more of a passion when caring for our babies. She provided my husband and me with compassionate and skilled care to make our anxiety less.
At our follow-up visits with the doctor, he always asked to update Sam and the NICU team on her progress as they were dedicated to her outcomes. We attempted to visit her on the floor twice before COVID-19 to thank her again for her and all the care received but were unable to due to work schedules. I am forever grateful for this experience.