Stephen S Bigelow
December 2024
Stephen S
Bigelow
,
RN
Oncology Acute
OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center
Peoria
,
IL
United States
As I fought to keep myself together, Steve unknowingly brought the light I needed in such a dark time.
The name Steve will now forever reside in my mind as a happy-go-lucky, caring individual who also managed to get me through two of the hardest days of my life. I was admitted into OSF as a very rare and downright strange case as I suffered from a potentially deadly fungal infection that presented in an atypical manner. This landed me with 6 days in the hospital to begin treatment and get insurance coverage for a very rare, expensive medication.
Fast forward to my 5th day lying in the hospital, the day I officially didn't think I was going to mentally tolerate being alone in a hospital bed any longer. This was Christmas morning. The emotions one feels during this type of occasion are unexplainable, and I was never in the mood to share much other than my obvious want to go home. I woke up not caring much about what day it was until a nurse walked in with a Santa hat on, a red scrub top, and green pants. He introduced himself as Steve and I instantly felt that my Christmas was going to be somewhat okay because I had an amazing team standing by. Steve brought an upbeat and positive demeanor from the start of the two days I spent with him as my day shift nurse. Steve brought this attitude and demeanor with him every time he came to give me my medication, every time I paged the nurse's station, and every time I walked to the nurse's station because I was so bored I preferred to walk. As I fought to keep myself together, Steve unknowingly brought the light I needed in such a dark time. As I had visitors throughout the day, Steve also came in to make sure I had everything I needed at all times and was a listening ear to my endless rambling. Most of which was about wanting to go home.
As I continued to wait on case management to get insurance coverage for the medication needed for me to go home, Steve constantly kept me updated, even if it meant he had no updates. When finally given discharge orders the next evening, Steve was quick to act and do everything he could to get me discharged. We then had an issue with the medication not being found at a pharmacy for it to be filled. Steve stayed over an hour past his shift to see that I got discharged, and was planned accordingly. I firmly believe I would not have gotten through the mental hardships and bumps in the road without Steve, and for this, I would like to thank him.
Fast forward to my 5th day lying in the hospital, the day I officially didn't think I was going to mentally tolerate being alone in a hospital bed any longer. This was Christmas morning. The emotions one feels during this type of occasion are unexplainable, and I was never in the mood to share much other than my obvious want to go home. I woke up not caring much about what day it was until a nurse walked in with a Santa hat on, a red scrub top, and green pants. He introduced himself as Steve and I instantly felt that my Christmas was going to be somewhat okay because I had an amazing team standing by. Steve brought an upbeat and positive demeanor from the start of the two days I spent with him as my day shift nurse. Steve brought this attitude and demeanor with him every time he came to give me my medication, every time I paged the nurse's station, and every time I walked to the nurse's station because I was so bored I preferred to walk. As I fought to keep myself together, Steve unknowingly brought the light I needed in such a dark time. As I had visitors throughout the day, Steve also came in to make sure I had everything I needed at all times and was a listening ear to my endless rambling. Most of which was about wanting to go home.
As I continued to wait on case management to get insurance coverage for the medication needed for me to go home, Steve constantly kept me updated, even if it meant he had no updates. When finally given discharge orders the next evening, Steve was quick to act and do everything he could to get me discharged. We then had an issue with the medication not being found at a pharmacy for it to be filled. Steve stayed over an hour past his shift to see that I got discharged, and was planned accordingly. I firmly believe I would not have gotten through the mental hardships and bumps in the road without Steve, and for this, I would like to thank him.