September 2023
Amanda
Husk
,
BSN, RN
Post-Partum
UnityPoint Health-Meriter
Madison
,
IA
United States
I was so grateful to come back up to the floor to see Amanda in my room waiting. Having that now familiar face was such a comfort in a very scary time.
A few weeks ago I was getting ready for bed and felt a "gush" of blood. I was 21 weeks pregnant. My husband rushed me to Meriter where we were cared for by so many amazing people. To say it was the worst day of our lives is an understatement.
Two days later we delivered our beautiful sixth child, our first daughter, V, sleeping. Our hearts are forever broken. We were, as expected, moved to the postpartum floor after delivery. I was blessed to have wonderful care all around. But we had one nurse who stood out in my very confused, trauma and grief-strained brain, this particular nurse holds space. I was blessed to have her several nights in a row. I understand their job as a nurse is to care for us patients. But what Amanda did for us, the genuine care and compassion she gave to both my husband and myself will be something we cherish forever.
On a particularly hard night, when I had gone home for a bit, and was then readmitted due to infections, I was so grateful to come back up to the floor to see Amanda in my room waiting. Having that now familiar face was such a comfort in a very scary time. That night in particular was rough in so many ways; she stayed with me the entire time so my husband could go home to be with our other kids at home. Her shift with me looked like holding my hand while I cried, just being present if I wanted to talk or not talk. Rubbing my back, holding my hand, and reassuring me while I sat on a toilet essentially going through labor again; a very vulnerable horrific time in my life, sobbing uncontrollably and she never acted frustrated or annoyed. Her willingness to listen, truly listen to both of us is a gift that not all nurses have.
Meriter, you are so lucky to have an employee like Amanda. Experiencing loss like we did is not something we'd wish on anyone but having kind souls like Amanda there is absolutely making a difference in the lives of the patients lucky enough to have her. We have been lucky enough to deliver 5 of our 6 children at Meriter and we've received nothing short of amazing care every time. It is a long drive for us, with closer options along the way but we have never once regretted our decision to use Meriter and after this experience, we are even more grateful. And Amanda will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Two days later we delivered our beautiful sixth child, our first daughter, V, sleeping. Our hearts are forever broken. We were, as expected, moved to the postpartum floor after delivery. I was blessed to have wonderful care all around. But we had one nurse who stood out in my very confused, trauma and grief-strained brain, this particular nurse holds space. I was blessed to have her several nights in a row. I understand their job as a nurse is to care for us patients. But what Amanda did for us, the genuine care and compassion she gave to both my husband and myself will be something we cherish forever.
On a particularly hard night, when I had gone home for a bit, and was then readmitted due to infections, I was so grateful to come back up to the floor to see Amanda in my room waiting. Having that now familiar face was such a comfort in a very scary time. That night in particular was rough in so many ways; she stayed with me the entire time so my husband could go home to be with our other kids at home. Her shift with me looked like holding my hand while I cried, just being present if I wanted to talk or not talk. Rubbing my back, holding my hand, and reassuring me while I sat on a toilet essentially going through labor again; a very vulnerable horrific time in my life, sobbing uncontrollably and she never acted frustrated or annoyed. Her willingness to listen, truly listen to both of us is a gift that not all nurses have.
Meriter, you are so lucky to have an employee like Amanda. Experiencing loss like we did is not something we'd wish on anyone but having kind souls like Amanda there is absolutely making a difference in the lives of the patients lucky enough to have her. We have been lucky enough to deliver 5 of our 6 children at Meriter and we've received nothing short of amazing care every time. It is a long drive for us, with closer options along the way but we have never once regretted our decision to use Meriter and after this experience, we are even more grateful. And Amanda will forever hold a special place in our hearts.