I would like to share my personal story and experience of my interactions with Andrea. My story starts back in December. That's when my life crossed paths with not only an exceptional nurse but a pure-hearted and kindest person that I have come across in all of my hospital admissions.
Andrea was a Christmas angel. I call her this because I have been admitted before Christmas with lung problems and low oxygen. I was really sick. I was told that I wouldn't be home for Christmas. My brother was coming home for the first time in 5 years with his 3-month-old daughter that I had yet to meet. I was so upset and devastated.
Andrea heard me crying and when I told her what was wrong, she talked to me. She made it her mission to reach the goals that I needed to be released. She got the respiratory specialist up to my room to work with my lungs and teach me to breathe better. She called the pulmonary doctor to come and I was able to be released at 5 pm that day reaching those goals.
On Christmas Eve, she had to be at the hospital to work but she made it her mission to help me get home to see my brother, niece, and children. She went above and beyond her job duties to help me. She also helped me emotionally and showed me pure kindness when she didn't have to. I literally talked about her over Christmas dinner and we thanked her in prayers before we ate.
Again, 2 weeks ago, I was admitted, and Andrea came in to take my IV out. I finally said, do you remember me? I said to her a shorter version of how we met and, to my mom, remember that Christmas eve? This is the nurse we thanked at dinner and that made my holiday the best. My mom thanked her for it.
Andrea was so modest and didn't think she did anything that shouldn't have been done. This is what makes her an extraordinary nurse. She just is a kind and caring soul and does this on a daily basis and doesn't expect anything for it. She has been so kind today and doesn't expect anything for it. She explains everything so I understand and calms my anxiety with just her words and presence. So that is why today I had to let her peers know how lucky they are to have a person like Andrea working at AHN Jefferson.
She truly is remarkable, and I hope that she is recognized for being such an extraordinary person, nurse, and human being. I hope that if I ever have to come back to the hospital that I cross paths with her again. Please realize what an asset you have with Andrea as an employee.