Our story started unexpectedly. My husband J was having chest pains and ended up in the ER at Augusta Health and was admitted and placed in PCU. Susanna Carter became his nurse, friend, and link between us and the doctors. Susanna demonstrated all of the excellent qualities a patient and their family could hope for. She was very skilled, kind, and always pleasant in her disposition, sharing a warm friendly smile and greeting whenever she entered his room.
During my husband's stay, Susanna maintained a calm, reassuring attitude and understanding of our concerns and always seemed to anticipate our needs. She provided comforts such as freshening up his bed with clean sheets and pillowcases. When I expressed wanting to give my husband a bed bath, Susanna supplied me with soap, washcloth, warm cleansing wipes and non-slip socks.
A great nurse can think quickly and address problems as or before they arise with a calm attitude and composure. That was our experience with Susanna. As she went about her duties during the day, it was evident that her patients came first. She would always ask if J needed anything and saw to it that he quickly received what was requested unless doctors' orders prevented her from doing so.
There is no doubt Susanna was a ray of sunshine during this time of uncertainty as we waited for tests and lab reports and contemplated on how our lives might be impacted. When we received word from the doctor that J would be discharged, we truly felt we had been blessed to have encountered this wonderful, highly skilled, compassionate nurse and friend.