Tabrina was my nurse during an IR procedure to drain a hematoma after a total hysterectomy. She was beyond spectacular in every way. After having a hysterectomy, I was discharged and developed fevers and pain. I was unclear about what the IR procedure would entail, and when the doctor started talking about drains and the time period the drain would have to remain, I had multiple panic attacks. I was already feeling compromised and exhausted from the surgery several days before and then the trauma around being in so much pain and having to go for a CT scan. I wasn’t aware of how the hematoma would be drained and how it would be accessed.

When the interventional radiologist told me that he would be inserting a catheter through my “butt cheek” and that I could most likely have a drain in for a long time, I completely freaked out. I became so anxious and literally saw my active and vital life go out the window. I was incredibly scared as everything seemed so uncertain at that moment. That is when Tabrina came to my bedside. She held my hand. She asked me really important questions about who I was, what I liked, and what made me feel strong and powerful. And then she reassured me. She didn’t do this in a trivial way. She absolutely understood my needs and what motivates me to feel strong. She told me that she would be by my side for the entire procedure. And she was.

Although I was in a “twilight” sleep state, I looked up and saw Tabrina’s reassuring face. She got me through that horrific time, and I am so incredibly grateful for her support and compassionate care. She took the extra steps to ensure that I felt safe. That meant the world to me. I am an employee in the health system and have been in the health system for 14 years. Tabrina embodies all of the qualities of an exceptional nurse. She is professional, and her expertise and confidence are a welcome relief when patients like me are questioning and feeling confused about an emergent procedure. She is compassionate and meets the patient where they are. No way to really describe this other than: She “got” me. She understood who I was and was able to speak to me in a way that truly made me feel safe and calmed me down. She stayed by my side and went out of her way to make sure I was comfortable. She made me feel as if I was her only patient, and I know for a fact that I was one of many patients in the IR procedure unit at that time. 

It has been 12 weeks since all of this occurred, and I am happy to say that I am sitting at my desk and back to working full-time and feeling good. I think about my interactions with Tabrina when times get rough, and it serves as a reminder to me of how essential the role of the nurse is on every level and how grateful I am to have experienced the most outstanding nursing care during my stay at Pennsylvania Hospital. Thank you so much for all you do and for your incredible team.