I am a nurse in the PACU at Saint Francis Hospital in Bartlett. Last summer, tragedy struck my family. We lost our daughter to an addiction due to the opioid crisis. Our daughter was admitted to the ICU with brain damage and was on a ventilator. All the nurses who took care of our daughter were excellent. One nurse, in particular, went over and beyond. Her name is Victoria Holmes, RN. She was assigned to our daughter's care on day two. The following days, Victoria delegated her teaching assignments in a skills lab scheduled that week, came in on her scheduled off days, and became our "bulldog Angel," as we respectfully called her. She coordinated care between the Intensivist, Neurologist, Respiratory, Lab and all disciplines. She kept the days running smoothly. Her expertise in adjusting IV drip medications and the ventilator was fluid as she monitored for changes in our daughter's care.
None of the clinical knowledge and care surprised me. I was taken aback by my ability to not have to "clinically manage" my own daughter's care. What did surprise me was her ability to deal with me!!! I was so confident in Victoria's care. Victoria made sure I had answers to my questions. She told me that if she thought sending our daughter to a higher level of care would change anything, she would arrange a flight out that day. I believed her.
Victoria kept me informed that Mid-South Transplant Foundation was calling. She advised us to take our time in making our decision. She managed everything. Victoria made sure that we were taking care of ourselves.
So what was the most important thing Victoria did during my daughter's last days in this world? I mentioned that she needed a bath. While we were out for a bit, I came back to a closed curtain and peeked in. A full, good soapy bath!!! Clean hair, which she lovingly combed and placed in a ponytail, and sweet smelling lotion. It seems so silly but I cry now, again, just thinking about it.
I took off from work a few months following our daughter's death. Before I came back to work, I got a call from Victoria to have lunch. I was able to sort through our daughter's tragic death.
Victoria will forever be in my heart and prayers. We are friends and peers and forever connected in hope for those who suffer such loss.