November 2023
Amy
Ruppel
,
ADN, RN
Surgical Short Stay
UnityPoint Health-Meriter
Madison
,
WI
United States
I felt hazy and out of it, but Amy made everything feel totally normal and not a big deal.
I had a hysterectomy performed at Meriter Hospital and received excellent care, but the care I received from Amy stands out still weeks after my procedure. My husband and I would like to recognize Nurse Amy for the above-and-beyond care she provided during a time of need for us.
My surgery itself went well, but was scheduled for a late surgery time and was running a little behind. After the surgery, I had a hard time coming out of anesthesia. I was sweating and threw up multiple times. When I went to 2 Atrium, Amy moved quickly to make sure I had medications, water, snacks, and even a fan. In my sleepiness, she made sure to be proactive asking about my pain, and even made sure to see if my husband needed anything.
As a non-binary person, she always used my correct pronouns which made me feel safe. After being so sick after surgery, I had a small window of time to urinate before being able to discharge home. Everything made me so dehydrated, and I was so sleepy. I barely had anything in my bladder to begin with. I felt hazy and out of it, but Amy made everything feel totally normal and not a big deal. She helped me to the bathroom and talked me through my care instructions slowly, making sure I knew everything.
Even with the time crunch, she did not make me feel pressured at all and made sure I knew that my well-being was her top priority. As a nurse himself, my husband noticed the excellent care and advocacy that Amy provided for us. She coordinated with the Resident On-Call to give me more time in the unit and stayed extra with me as the last patient on the floor. This extra effort gave me more time to be able to urinate, which made it so that I did not need a catheter.
Later in my recovery, my bladder inflammation would be a concern, so my husband and I credit Amy’s advocacy for preventing further risk of complications with an at-home catheter. At the end of the night, Amy even helped buckle me into my car and sent me on my way. As individuals who both work in healthcare, my husband and I know the importance of nurses and the care that they bring.
Amy embodied the spirit of The DAISY Award: making me feel safe in a vulnerable time as a transgender person in healthcare, advocating/coordinating with the team to give me the best possible recovery, and providing excellent nursing care to myself and my husband. As I was sitting at home, recovering with my cat nearby, I felt grateful for Amy and all she did to help me get home. Thank you, Amy.
My surgery itself went well, but was scheduled for a late surgery time and was running a little behind. After the surgery, I had a hard time coming out of anesthesia. I was sweating and threw up multiple times. When I went to 2 Atrium, Amy moved quickly to make sure I had medications, water, snacks, and even a fan. In my sleepiness, she made sure to be proactive asking about my pain, and even made sure to see if my husband needed anything.
As a non-binary person, she always used my correct pronouns which made me feel safe. After being so sick after surgery, I had a small window of time to urinate before being able to discharge home. Everything made me so dehydrated, and I was so sleepy. I barely had anything in my bladder to begin with. I felt hazy and out of it, but Amy made everything feel totally normal and not a big deal. She helped me to the bathroom and talked me through my care instructions slowly, making sure I knew everything.
Even with the time crunch, she did not make me feel pressured at all and made sure I knew that my well-being was her top priority. As a nurse himself, my husband noticed the excellent care and advocacy that Amy provided for us. She coordinated with the Resident On-Call to give me more time in the unit and stayed extra with me as the last patient on the floor. This extra effort gave me more time to be able to urinate, which made it so that I did not need a catheter.
Later in my recovery, my bladder inflammation would be a concern, so my husband and I credit Amy’s advocacy for preventing further risk of complications with an at-home catheter. At the end of the night, Amy even helped buckle me into my car and sent me on my way. As individuals who both work in healthcare, my husband and I know the importance of nurses and the care that they bring.
Amy embodied the spirit of The DAISY Award: making me feel safe in a vulnerable time as a transgender person in healthcare, advocating/coordinating with the team to give me the best possible recovery, and providing excellent nursing care to myself and my husband. As I was sitting at home, recovering with my cat nearby, I felt grateful for Amy and all she did to help me get home. Thank you, Amy.