Since July, one of my best friends, H, had been a patient at Lowell General.  She was discharged to rehab a few times but always returned to the hospital, where the majority of Helen's time was spent in the Oncology Care Unit.  She received exceptional care during her stay.  When she took a turn for the worse, Amanda Cresta was her nurse.  H was the worst state I had seen her in yet.  Amanda was patient, took the time to listen, and immediately reached out to the physician to see if she could get something to make Helen more comfortable.  Amanda always kept us updated on the changes and the status of the providers coming in to see H.  Amanda always asked if we needed anything or to help us in any way.  H did make a turnaround after this event and went on to be here for another six weeks.  H always shares her love of the staff with her family and me.  They ensured that she had a cake for her birthday, sang Happy Birthday, and gave her a gift that included items she could use while in the hospital. 

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I cannot say enough about the care my lifelong friend H received here at LGH.  She was here for an extended time.  H spoke of her experience with our staff, which was amazing.  She felt she was in competent hands, especially in the Oncology Care Unit.  The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, extremely kind, compassionate, and always eager to meet her comfort and needs.  H always referred to the staff as her nurse and techs; they had become family.  Helen always shared the little things they would do for her.  Such as washing her hair, braiding it to keep it out of her face, lotions, and the birthday cake and gifts she received.  These touching encounters made a world of difference to her.  

While the staff of the whole unit was terrific, I needed to call an exceptional nurse, Amanda Cresta.  Amanda was H's nurse the day she needed to be made care and comfort.  Amanda ensured she was in the room with the family and me with every interaction with all the providers on H's care team.  She was attentive to all our needs and sat with us from time to time to listen to and offer words of comfort.  When the family decided to bring H's young daughter in to see H, Amanda returned to the nurses' station and discussed ideas with the team on how to make H look her best for her daughter.  I walked up on this conversation myself, and it was a moment that touched me deeply.  The team made her look so much better, tucked under a blanket the staff had purchased and smelling so welcoming with the applied lotions.

H made it through the night, and Amanda was her nurse the next day.  First thing in the morning, she checked in on the family and me.  After I had left at lunchtime, Amanda took H's daughter and niece down to the cafe to get a bit to eat.  This simple action meant so much to the family.  Later, H passed, and Amanda made sure that the family had rhythm strips of H's heart and made a handprint mold of H's hand.  Upon leaving the hospital, H's daughter stopped Amanda and hugged her.  Amanda stated she would be there if she needed anything, and she knew how to reach her.  While with family, they could not say enough wonderful things about Amanda.  

The girls saw a poster about the DAISY Award and wanted her to be nominated.  As a fellow LGH employee, I cannot express enough my sincere gratitude for all that Amanda did for the family and me.  Knowing how busy and hard the nurses work daily, she gave us those special touchpoints when she could have taken her break or caught up on her documentation.  Those simple actions will stay with H's daughter as special moments during the most challenging time.  Thank you, but it is not enough for the gift you gave me and H's family.