I would like to nominate Adrienne Sears for the care she provided one of her labor patients who came in for a routine delivery and left with a new diagnosis of cancer.

Adrienne was caring for this patient during her labor which was going as planned. During a vaginal examination by the physician a large rectal mass was palpated. The physician immediately consulted with another OB as well as a general surgeon. Adrienne was collaborating with them all to insure her patient received the highest quality care. Once the team reviewed the findings decision was made to take the patient downstairs for a c-section and exploratory lap. Adrienne worked with the Main OR to get the patient taken downstairs for the case.

Obviously the patient and her husband were shocked and very upset. Adrienne was also upset and even shared in their tears but she stayed by the patient’s side giving her husband her total support. She followed the patient downstairs and her husband was allowed to go into the Main OR so he could be with his wife. This is not the typical practice downstairs. The patient was diagnosed with a form of colon cancer and an ostomy was created as a part of her care and treatment during her surgery. Typically this patient would be transferred to another floor for follow up care but Adrieene worked with the Charge nurse and physician to have her kept on the Maternity Floor. She wanted her to be able to breastfeed and bond with the baby.

The next day Adrienne again took care of this patient so that she would be able to continue to support her and her family. Adrienne collaborated with our Wound/Ostomy nurse to insure that the patient and staff were comfortable caring for the ostomy.

Adrienne opened her heart to this patient and was able to be there for them at one of the toughest times of their lives