Bethany Torgersen

On 2/26/11 Bethany had a patient who came for indigestion and LUQ abdominal pain, protocols were done and the Troponin came back elevated. During the delivery of care Bethany learned that the patients wife was pregnant and due to deliver their first child via c-section on 2/28/11. The patient was an ACS, his Cardiologist came to see him and he ended up going to the Cath Lab in hopes of doing the procedure and getting him home for the baby’s delivery. His wife was unable to come to the hospital to see him because she was diagnosed with DVT and was going to be admitted early for IV drips, etc., the following day. Her parents were also unable to be with her because her father was diagnosed with cancer just a few days prior. Because Bethany didn’t want the wife to feel uncared for during her husbands absence she sent flowers to her home so she would know someone was thinking about her as well.

As it turns out the patient did not do well and is on a balloon pump awaiting heart transplant and transfer to another facility. The delivery is still planned but it does not appear he will be present for the birth and may never know his child. This simple act of kindness may be one of the few happy memories his wife will have during this difficult period in her life.